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    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=1"
            title="Edit section: House Arryn">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="House_Arryn">
                House Arryn</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 102px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:House_Arryn.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/House_Arryn.png/100px-House_Arryn.png"
                    width="100" height="107" class="thumbimage" /></a>
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                    <a href="/wiki/File:House_Arryn.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of arms of House Arryn</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal noble house in the <a href="/wiki/Vale_of_Arryn" title="Vale of Arryn"
            class="mw-redirect">Vale</a>. Their main seat is <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Eyrie"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">The Eyrie</a>. Their sigil is a
        white moon-and-falcon on a sky-blue field, and their words are "As High as Honor".
        Their ancient line dates back to the Andals that invaded Westeros.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=2"
            title="Edit section: Jon Arryn">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Jon_Arryn">
                Jon Arryn</span></h3>
    <p>
        Jon Arryn was Warden of the East and Hand of the King during <a href="/wiki/Robert_Baratheon"
            title="Robert Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Robert Baratheon</a>'s reign. He
        was one of the principal leaders of Robert's Rebellion, raising his banners to protect
        his wards Robert and <a href="/wiki/Eddard_Stark" title="Eddard Stark" class="mw-redirect">
            Eddard Stark</a>. To secure the support of Lord <a href="/wiki/Hoster_Tully" title="Hoster Tully"
                class="mw-redirect">Hoster Tully</a> in the rebellion, Jon married <a href="/wiki/Lysa_Tully"
                    title="Lysa Tully" class="mw-redirect">Lysa Tully</a>. As Robert's Hand
        of the King, Jon was left with much of the responsibility of running the Seven Kingdoms.
        He was a close friend and father figure to both King Robert and Lord Eddard through
        most of their lives.</p>
    <p>
        Before his death, Jon discovered that Queen <a href="/wiki/Cersei_Lannister" title="Cersei Lannister"
            class="mw-redirect">Cersei Lannister</a>'s children were fathered not by Robert
        but by <a href="/wiki/Jaime_Lannister" title="Jaime Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Jaime
            Lannister</a>. Before he could reveal this information, he was poisoned.</p>
    <p>
        He was portrayed by <a href="/wiki/John_Standing" title="John Standing">Sir John Standing</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=3"
            title="Edit section: Robert Arryn">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Robert_Arryn">
                Robert Arryn</span></h3>
    <p>
        The only child of <a href="/wiki/Jon_Arryn" title="Jon Arryn" class="mw-redirect">Jon
            Arryn</a> and his wife, <a href="/wiki/Lysa_Tully" title="Lysa Tully" class="mw-redirect">
                Lysa Tully</a>, Robert (called Sweet Robin) is a child of seven.<sup id="cite_ref-0"
                    class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-0"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a></sup>
        He inherited the titles Lord of <a href="/wiki/The_Eyrie" title="The Eyrie" class="mw-redirect">
            the Eyrie</a> and Defender of the Vale. Robert suffers from <a href="/wiki/Seizure_disorder"
                title="Seizure disorder" class="mw-redirect">seizures</a>. His mother, Lady
        Lysa, rules as <a href="/wiki/Regent" title="Regent" class="mw-redirect">regent</a>.
        As the series opens, he is depicted as intellectually stunted, sickly, and whiny.</p>
    <p>
        After Lysa's Tully's marriage to <a href="/wiki/Petyr_Baelish" title="Petyr Baelish"
            class="mw-redirect">Petyr Baelish</a> and subsequent death, Baelish assumes
        the position of Lord Protector of the Vale, and claims guardianship of young Robert.
        Robert becomes increasingly emotional and unstable and is highly attached to his
        cousin, <a href="/wiki/Sansa_Stark" title="Sansa Stark" class="mw-redirect">Sansa Stark</a>,
        in her guise of Alayne Stone.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Lino_Facioli" title="Lino Facioli">Lino Facioli</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books, where the character's name has been changed
        to "Robin" to prevent confusion with <a href="#Robert_Baratheon">Robert Baratheon</a>.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=4"
            title="Edit section: House Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="House_Baratheon">House Baratheon</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 102px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Emblema_baratheon.gif" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//localhost:8099/web/100px-Emblema_baratheon.png" width="100" height="87"
                    class="thumbimage" /></a>
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                    <a href="/wiki/File:Emblema_baratheon.gif" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of arms of House Baratheon</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal house in <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Stormlands"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">the Stormlands</a>. Its seat is <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Storm.27s_End"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Storm's End</a>. Its sigil is a
        crowned black stag on a field of gold, and its words are "Ours is the Fury". After
        <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Usurper" title="War of the Usurper" class="mw-redirect">Robert's
            Rebellion</a> against the <a href="/wiki/Targaryen" title="Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">
                Targaryen</a> dynasty, the house claimed the Iron Throne in King's Landing
        and the Isle of Dragonstone, with the support of <a href="/wiki/House_Stark" title="House Stark"
            class="mw-redirect">House Stark</a>, <a href="/wiki/House_Tully" title="House Tully"
                class="mw-redirect">House Tully</a>, <a href="/wiki/House_Arryn" title="House Arryn"
                    class="mw-redirect">House Arryn</a>, and, eventually, <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister"
                        title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">House Lannister</a>
        The Baratheons became the new royal family.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=5"
            title="Edit section: Robert Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Robert_Baratheon">Robert Baratheon</span></h3>
    <p>
        During his youth Robert Baratheon was a formidable warrior, but now he is described
        as a bearded fat man, fond of hunting, wenching, and drinking. Robert was fostered
        at the Eyrie along with <a href="/wiki/Eddard_Stark" title="Eddard Stark" class="mw-redirect">
            Eddard Stark</a>.</p>
    <p>
        He was betrothed to Ned's sister <a href="/wiki/Lyanna_Stark" title="Lyanna Stark"
            class="mw-redirect">Lyanna Stark</a>, whom he loved deeply. Hearing that <a href="/wiki/Rhaegar_Targaryen"
                title="Rhaegar Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">Rhaegar Targaryen</a> kidnapped
        Lyanna, Robert was outraged. Lyanna's brother Brandon Stark rode to King's Landing
        to rescue her, but he was executed by King Aerys, along with his father, Lord Rickard
        Stark. Jon Arryn refused to his wards Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark thereby
        beginning Robert's Rebellion (also known as the War of the Usurper). Robert won
        his war and killed Rhaegar personally, but Lyanna died under unknown circumstances.
        Robert was thereafter haunted by her memory, and bore a deep hatred against Targaryens
        in general and Rhaegar in particular.</p>
    <p>
        Robert assumed the Iron Throne and married <a href="/wiki/Cersei_Lannister" title="Cersei Lannister"
            class="mw-redirect">Cersei Lannister</a> to cement her family's loyalty. Fond
        of feasts and tourneys, Robert squandered the vast treasury. He was killed by a
        wild boar while hunting, leaving the realm divided. Disputes about his heir led
        to the War of the Five Kings.</p>
    <p>
        He was portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Mark_Addy" title="Mark Addy">Mark Addy</a> in
        the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=6"
            title="Edit section: Joffrey Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Joffrey_Baratheon">Joffrey Baratheon</span></h3>
    <p>
        Joffrey Baratheon is the eldest of the three royal Baratheon children and Robert's
        heir. Joffrey is a strong-willed child of 12 with a vicious temper and an unchecked
        sadistic streak. As a Lannister, he is tall, blond, handsome, and actually fathered
        by his uncle Jaime Lannister. Robert never questioned Joffrey's parentage, but he
        was never close to the child.</p>
    <p>
        The new Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, discovered that Joffrey and his siblings
        were conceived by incest between twins Cersei and Jaime. To protect this secret,
        Cersei had Eddard arrested; and young Joffrey took the Iron Throne as Robert's heir.
        Eddard was publicly beheaded before Sansa's eyes. Joffrey ruled with cruelty and
        caprice, overriding his advisors. When refugees came to beg for bread at the castle
        gates, Joffrey shot several of them with a crossbow. As his Hand, only his Lannister
        uncle Tyrion stood up to him.</p>
    <p>
        Joffrey took part in the Battle of the Blackwater as figurehead for the loyalist
        army against his Baratheon uncle <a href="/wiki/Stannis_Baratheon" title="Stannis Baratheon"
            class="mw-redirect">Stannis Baratheon</a>'s invading naval force. His army,
        commanded by Tyrion, was able to resist by using wildfire until Joffrey's grandfather
        <a href="/wiki/Tywin_Lannister" title="Tywin Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Tywin Lannister</a>
        arrived with reinforcements. With the backing of the <a href="/wiki/House_Tyrell"
            title="House Tyrell" class="mw-redirect">Tyrells</a>, the royalist forces dealt
        a shattering blow to Stannis's <a href="/wiki/Vanguard_(military_formation)" title="Vanguard (military formation)">
            vanguard</a>, and many of his allies switched sides. Stannis and what little
        remained of his fleet retreated, and King Joffrey's forces were proclaimed the victors.
        Tywin officially became Joffrey's Hand.</p>
    <p>
        Joffrey's betrothal to Sansa was ended, and Joffrey was wed to <a href="/wiki/Margaery_Tyrell"
            title="Margaery Tyrell" class="mw-redirect">Margaery Tyrell</a>. At the wedding
        feast, Joffrey was poisoned during a heated argument with Tyrion, who was blamed
        for Joffrey's death and stood trial before fleeing with the help of his elder brother
        Jaime.</p>
    <p>
        Joffrey was succeeded by his younger brother, King Tommen. At no point did Joffrey
        ever control all of the Seven Kingdoms. There were still holdouts in the Iron Islands,
        the North, the Riverlands, and the Stormlands which refused to submit to his reign.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Jack_Gleeson_(actor)" title="Jack Gleeson (actor)"
            class="mw-redirect">Jack Gleeson</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=7"
            title="Edit section: Myrcella Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Myrcella_Baratheon">Myrcella Baratheon</span></h3>
    <p>
        The middle of the royal Baratheon children, Myrcella Baratheon is delicate, beautiful
        and courteous; she is described as having all of her mother's beauty, but none of
        her nature. For her age, she displays courage and high intelligence. She is eight.</p>
    <p>
        Myrcella was sent to <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Dorne" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Dorne</a> as part of an agreement with <a href="/wiki/House_Martell" title="House Martell"
                class="mw-redirect">House Martell</a> to ensure their support of Joffrey
        during the War of Five Kings. She is betrothed to marry Prince Trystane when they
        come of age, and by all reports the two get along well.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Aimee_Richardson" title="Aimee Richardson" class="mw-redirect">
            Aimee Richardson</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=8"
            title="Edit section: Tommen Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Tommen_Baratheon">Tommen Baratheon</span></h3>
    <p>
        The youngest of the royal Baratheon children, Tommen, is seven years old at the
        beginning of the series. His plumpness, sweet disposition, and weak will are all
        marked contrasts to his older brother Joffrey. Tommen was crowned after Joffrey's
        death, and married Joffrey's young widow Margaery. A submissive child, he did everything
        Cersei bade him, being more interested in his kittens and games than in the realm.
        Tommen's pliability worked both ways, and he was soon influenced by Margaery to
        resist his mother's commands. Tommen continues to sign everything his advisors set
        in front of him.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/w/index.php?title=Callum_Wharry&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1"
            class="new" title="Callum Wharry (page does not exist)">Callum Wharry</a> in
        the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=9"
            title="Edit section: Renly Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Renly_Baratheon">Renly Baratheon</span></h3>
    <p>
        The younger of Robert's brothers, the Lord of Storm's End, he is a handsome and
        charismatic man, winning friends easily, but also strikes some people as frivolous.</p>
    <p>
        King Robert gave the Baratheon seat of Storm's End to Renly despite his elder brother
        Stannis' better claim. The lands of Storm's End are considerably larger and richer
        than those of Stannis's Dragonstone, giving Renly more power than his older brother.
        Eventually Renly was called to King's Landing to be a member of Robert's court.</p>
    <p>
        While Robert lay dying, Renly approached <a href="/wiki/Eddard_Stark" title="Eddard Stark"
            class="mw-redirect">Eddard Stark</a> and suggested they seize control of the
        Iron Throne before <a href="/wiki/Cersei_Lannister" title="Cersei Lannister" class="mw-redirect">
            Cersei Lannister</a> could strike. Eddard honorably refused, and Renly left
        the city. After Robert's death, Renly declared himself king. Through his charisma
        he managed to win support from many houses. Renly also gained the support of the
        <a href="/wiki/House_Tyrell" title="House Tyrell" class="mw-redirect">Tyrells</a>
        through a marriage to <a href="/wiki/Margaery_Tyrell" title="Margaery Tyrell" class="mw-redirect">
            Margaery</a>.</p>
    <p>
        He spent a great deal of time moving slowly from the south, gaining support and
        men while holding tournaments for his men while the Lannisters and Starks wore each
        other down. This plan went awry when his brother Stannis marched against him. While
        preparing for battle with his brother's forces, Renly was mysteriously slain by
        a strange shadow.</p>
    <p>
        He was portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Gethin_Anthony" title="Gethin Anthony">Gethin Anthony</a>
        in the <a href="/wiki/HBO" title="HBO">HBO</a> adaptation of the books. The television
        series departs from the books in that Renly and <a href="/wiki/House_Tyrell" title="House Tyrell"
            class="mw-redirect">Ser Loras Tyrell</a> are openly depicted as lovers, an interaction
        obliquely addressed within the books.<sup id="cite_ref-Westreros_1-0" class="reference"><a
            href="#cite_note-Westreros-1"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-AfterElt_2-0"
                class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AfterElt-2"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=10"
            title="Edit section: Stannis Baratheon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Stannis_Baratheon">Stannis Baratheon</span></h3>
    <p>
        The elder of Robert's brothers, Stannis is Lord of Dragonstone and Master of Ships
        on Robert's Small Council. A brooding, humorless man known for a harsh and unyielding
        sense of justice, his stubbornness and determination are legendary. He is also a
        capable naval commander.</p>
    <p>
        After the death of <a href="/wiki/House_Arryn#Jon" title="House Arryn" class="mw-redirect">
            Jon Arryn</a>, Stannis left the king's council and returned to Dragonstone.
        There he gathered what strength he could, while also falling under the sway of <a
            href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Melisandre" title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire"
            class="mw-redirect">Melisandre</a>, sorceress and priestess of R'hllor. She
        proclaimed Stannis to be the Azor Ahai reborn, a messianic figure of the <a href="/wiki/Westeros#R.27hllor"
            title="Westeros" class="mw-redirect">R'hllor</a> faith. When Robert died, Stannis
        claimed the Iron Throne as Robert's heir, however most of the Baratheon bannermen
        followed his more charismatic brother Renly. Melisandre used magic to give birth
        to a mysterious shadow, which assassinated Renly.</p>
    <p>
        After this event Stannis recruited most of his brother's troops and launched an
        amphibious assault on King's Landing, where his forces were defeated. Stannis returned
        to Dragonstone, but his counselor <a href="/wiki/Davos_Seaworth" title="Davos Seaworth"
            class="mw-redirect">Davos Seaworth</a> urged Stannis to take his remaining forces
        north to defend <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Wall" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            the Wall</a>. Stannis arrived at the Wall just in time to crush a wildling assault,
        and stayed at the Wall to negotiate with the wildlings on behalf of the <a href="/wiki/Night%27s_Watch"
            title="Night's Watch" class="mw-redirect">Night's Watch</a>. Stannis continued
        to seek support in the North for another attempt at the throne.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Stephen_Dillane" title="Stephen Dillane">Stephen Dillane</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=11"
            title="Edit section: House Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="House_Greyjoy">
                House Greyjoy</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 102px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Golden_squid.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Golden_squid.png/100px-Golden_squid.png"
                    width="100" height="107" class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Golden_squid.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                <a href="/wiki/Coat_of_arms" title="Coat of arms">Coat of arms</a> of House Greyjoy</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal noble house on the <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Iron_Islands"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Iron Islands</a>. Their seat is at <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Pyke"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Pyke</a>. Their sigil is a golden
        <a href="/wiki/Kraken" title="Kraken">kraken</a> on a black field, and their words
        are "We Do Not Sow".</p>
    <p>
        The Greyjoys became Lords Paramount of the Iron Isles after the <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen"
            title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">Targaryen</a> conquest, when Aegon
        I allowed the Ironborn to choose who would have primacy over them.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=12"
            title="Edit section: Balon Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Balon_Greyjoy">
                Balon Greyjoy</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lord of the Iron Islands, King of Salt and Rock, Lord Reaper of Pyke, and captain
        of the Great Kraken. A harsh and fierce man, devoted in most respects to Ironborn
        custom, he nonetheless sees his daughter Asha as his successor. He led a <a href="/w/index.php?title=Wars_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1"
            class="new" title="Wars in A Song of Ice and Fire (page does not exist)">rebellion</a>
        against King <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Robert" title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">
            Robert Baratheon</a>, which failed. Balon's youngest son Theon was taken hostage
        by <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Eddard" title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">Lord Stark</a>.</p>
    <p>
        After Robert Baratheon's death, Balon spurned <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Robb" title="House Stark"
            class="mw-redirect">Robb Stark</a>'s offer of an alliance and declared himself
        King of the Iron Islands and the North. Balon died while crossing a weak bridge
        during a storm.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Patrick_Malahide" title="Patrick Malahide">Patrick
            Malahide</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=13"
            title="Edit section: Aeron Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Aeron_Greyjoy">
                Aeron Greyjoy</span></h3>
    <p>
        The youngest of Balon's brothers, Aeron dedicated himself to the Ironborn religion
        of <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Drowned_God" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            The Drowned God</a> after a near-drowning. He is now a hard, humorless ascetic
        living as a hermit. Fellow holy men, called Drowned Men, do his bidding without
        question, and he is greatly respected by the Ironborn in general.</p>
    <p>
        After Balon's death Aeron used his influence as a high priest of the Drowned God
        to hold a Kingsmoot for the selection of Balon's replacement. He had hoped to crown
        his brother Victarion to continue Balon's traditional and conservative ways, but
        Euron was able to claim the throne. Aeron announced plans to try to rouse the people
        against the "godless" Euron, and disappeared the next day.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=14"
            title="Edit section: Asha Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Asha_Greyjoy">
                Asha Greyjoy</span></h3>
    <p>
        Balon Greyjoy's only daughter and oldest living child, Asha is a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)"
            title="Point of view (literature)" class="mw-redirect">POV character</a> as
        of <i><a href="/wiki/A_Feast_for_Crows" title="A Feast for Crows">A Feast for Crows</a></i>.
        Asha has been raised as Balon's putative heir. She is fierce and proud, commands
        her own ship, and leads men into battle. She returned to the isles after Balon's
        death to claim his throne. She did better than many expected at the Kingsmoot, but
        was passed over in favor of Euron.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Gemma_Whelan" title="Gemma Whelan">Gemma Whelan</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books, where the character's name has been changed
        to "Yara" to prevent confusion with Osha.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=15"
            title="Edit section: Euron Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Euron_Greyjoy">
                Euron Greyjoy</span></h3>
    <p>
        A younger brother of Balon and captain of a ship crewed entirely by mutes whose
        tongues Euron ripped out. Euron is a wildly unpredictable man who plays vicious
        mind games on anyone around him. He is hated by all his brothers for this reason.
        Nicknamed "Crow's Eye", he was banished from the isles and warned never to return
        while Balon was alive.</p>
    <p>
        At the Kingsmoot he promised to conquer all Westeros for the ironborn. He was elected
        king, and began wildly successful raids upon <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Reach"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">The Reach</a>. However, he failed to
        move the ironborn beyond raiding. He sent his brother Victarion to find <a href="/wiki/Daenerys_Targaryen"
            title="Daenerys Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">Daenerys Targaryen</a>, court
        her in his name, and bring her and her dragons to Westeros.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=16"
            title="Edit section: Theon Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Theon_Greyjoy">
                Theon Greyjoy</span></h3>
    <p>
        Theon Greyjoy, a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>, is the son and heir apparent of Balon
        Greyjoy. He was taken hostage and raised as a ward by Eddard Stark at Winterfell
        for ten years. He is caught between the Stark and Greyjoy worlds, belonging to neither
        in full.</p>
    <p>
        Theon was raised with the Stark children and became close friends with Robb Stark.
        Robb sent him to the Ironborn's islands to seek a Stark/Greyjoy alliance. Disappointed
        that his father criticized Theon's mainland ways, he captured <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Winterfell"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Winterfell</a> in an attempt to win
        his family's esteem. Theon held Winterfell for a short time, but was ultimately
        captured and imprisioned at Roose Bolton's Dreadfort, where he was tortured repeatedly.
        Eventually escaping, he is brought before Stannis Baratheon's forces.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Alfie_Allen" title="Alfie Allen">Alfie Allen</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=17"
            title="Edit section: Victarion Greyjoy">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Victarion_Greyjoy">Victarion Greyjoy</span></h3>
    <p>
        Brother to Balon, Lord Commander of the Iron Fleet. Victarion loves battle and the
        open sea. but has a calm demeanor otherwise, deploring Euron's tendency to humiliate
        captives. He is a religious man. Years ago Victarion killed his wife after he learned
        she was unfaithful. He has not remarried.</p>
    <p>
        Victarion was passed over in favor of Euron at the kingsmoot, but his dutiful nature
        kept him following Euron's orders. He perceived the political games Euron played
        with the other Ironborn, but was powerless to stop him. Though Euron has asked him
        to court <a href="/wiki/Daenerys_Targaryen" title="Daenerys Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">
            Daenerys Targaryen</a> in Euron's name, he secretly plans to marry her for himself
        to spite Euron for his earlier betrayals.</p>
    <p>
        Victarion's iron fleet has lost nearly half his ships during the voyage to Essos.
        A Red Priest of R'hllor named Moqorro was rescued clinging to wreckage at sea. The
        crew wanted him killed, but Victarion now makes offerings to both the Drowned God
        and R'hllor.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=18"
            title="Edit section: House Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="House_Lannister">House Lannister</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 122px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_Casa_de_Lannister.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_Casa_de_Lannister.png/120px-Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_Casa_de_Lannister.png"
                    width="120" height="132" class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_Casa_de_Lannister.png" class="internal"
                        title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of Arms of House Lannister.</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal house of the <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Westerlands"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Westerlands</a>. Their principal seat
        is <a href="/wiki/Casterly_Rock" title="Casterly Rock" class="mw-redirect">Casterly
            Rock</a>. Their sigil is a rampant golden lion on a field of crimson. Their
        official house words are "Hear me roar!" However their unofficial motto, equally
        well known, is "A Lannister always pays his debts."</p>
    <p>
        The Lannisters were the paramount lords of the Westerlands at Casterly Rock. The
        House had fallen on hard times but was restored to its former glory by Tywin Lannister.
        The Lannisters are the richest family in the Seven Kingdoms, due in large part to
        the many gold mines under their control.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=19"
            title="Edit section: Tywin Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Tywin_Lannister">Tywin Lannister</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, Tywin is a calculating and ruthless
        man. in his mid-fifties. His wife Joanna Lannister died in childbirth, and he took
        no other wife. He loves his children Jaime and Cersei, but despises Tyrion for being
        deformed and causing his beloved wife's death.</p>
    <p>
        Tywin single-handedly restore his family's honor and fortune, and dedicated himself
        to reinforcing Lannister prestige. He was an able and shrewd counselor who brought
        great prosperity during his tenure as Hand of the King. However, King Aerys' increasing
        paranoia caused bitter disagreements. Tywin resigned as Hand and returned to his
        own lands. During <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Usurper" title="War of the Usurper" class="mw-redirect">
            Robert's Rebellion</a> Tywin's forces rode to King's Landing. Aerys was convinced
        that Tywin had returned to aid him and opened the gates of the city. Tywin's forces
        promptly sacked the city, Jaime murdered Aerys, and Rhaegar's wife and children
        were slain at Tywin's order.</p>
    <p>
        Tywin again became Hand of the King, this time for his grandson King <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Joffrey"
            title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Joffrey</a>. Leading his troops
        against Robb Stark and appointed his son Tyrion to serve as Hand while he was away.
        Tyrion displayed a pragmatic talent for intrigue and ingenuity. During the War of
        the Five Kings, <a href="/wiki/Stannis_Baratheon" title="Stannis Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">
            Stannis Baratheon</a>'s troops became a serious threat to the Lannisters, but
        Tywin decimated Stannis' army. This was the final blow that ended the siege once
        and for all.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Charles_Dance" title="Charles Dance">Charles Dance</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=20"
            title="Edit section: Cersei Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Cersei_Lannister">Cersei Lannister</span></h3>
    <p>
        Older than her twin Jaime, Cersei (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>) is the sister of Jaime Lannister. Physically
        beautiful, Cersei is also self-serving, greedy, and manipulative. After <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Usurper"
            title="War of the Usurper" class="mw-redirect">Robert's Rebellion</a> she married
        the new King, <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Robert" title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">
            Robert Baratheon</a>, and became Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She is always
        concerned for the safety of her children, <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Joffrey"
            title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Joffrey</a>, <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Myrcella"
                title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Myrcella</a>, and <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Tommen"
                    title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Tommen</a>. She neither
        loves nor respects her husband, King Robert. Cersei's three children were all fathered
        by her brother Jaime. Cersei has since climbed the ladder of power, becoming regent
        for Joffrey and later for her younger son Tommen.</p>
    <p>
        Cersei grew to suspect that her powerful <a href="/wiki/House_Tyrell" title="House Tyrell"
            class="mw-redirect">Tyrell</a> allies, now relatives through Tommen's marriage
        to Margaery Tyrell, were trying to seize control of the kingdom. Her twin Jaime
        became alienated and abandoned her to her own political paranoia. Another potentially
        ill-fated decision was her refusal to honor the debts of the Crown, angering powerful
        institutions and causing economic chaos. Accused of capital crimes, Cersei was arrested
        and detained to await trial in a tower cell at the Great Sept of Baelor. Her ministers
        abandoned her and seized control of the government. A penance walk and public humiliation
        proved much for Cersei who broke down in tears.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Lena_Headey" title="Lena Headey">Lena Headey</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=21"
            title="Edit section: Jaime Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Jaime_Lannister">Jaime Lannister</span></h3>
    <p>
        Younger twin to <a href="/wiki/Cersei_Lannister" title="Cersei Lannister" class="mw-redirect">
            Cersei</a>, and son of Tywin, Jaime Lannister (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)"
                title="Point of view (literature)" class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>)
        became a knight and ascended to the Kingsguard at age 15. He shares his sister's
        arrogance, amorality, and striking good looks. In <i><a href="/wiki/A_Storm_of_Swords"
            title="A Storm of Swords">A Storm of Swords</a></i> he becomes a point-of-view
        character.</p>
    <p>
        Knights of the Kingsguard renounce their lands and titles and are sworn not to marry
        or have children, so the excitement of joining the Kingsguard evaporated when he
        realized that it was merely a way for King Aerys to deprive the powerful Lord Lannister
        of his eldest son and heir, Seeing Aerys's true purpose, Tywin resigned as Hand,
        and returned with Cersei to Casterly Rock. With his sister gone, and tasked with
        guarding a king he now realized to be insane and cruel, Jaime became increasingly
        disenchanted with his role.</p>
    <p>
        During Robert's Rebellion, Jaime discovered that Aerys planned to burn King's Landing
        and all of its inhabitants rather than let Robert Baratheon take them. When Tywin
        Lannister tricked Aerys into letting his troops into King's Landing and began to
        sack the city, King Aerys attempted to put this plan into action. Jaime responded
        by killing the king, earning him the epithet "Kingslayer" and a reputation as an
        evil and dishonorable man. Jaime later reflected that he is often reviled for what
        he considers to be his finest act.</p>
    <p>
        Jaime's sword hand was cut off. Having lost his identity-defining martial prowess,
        Jaime began to re-evaluate his life. Jaime continues to struggle with his feelings
        for Cersei, but changed by his experiences, he becomes alienated from his family.
        Leaving King's Landing, he trains to eventually learn to fight left-handed. His
        progress has been very slow.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Nikolaj_Coster-Waldau" title="Nikolaj Coster-Waldau">
            Nikolaj Coster-Waldau</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=22"
            title="Edit section: Kevan Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Kevan_Lannister">Kevan Lannister</span></h3>
    <p>
        Kevan is Tywin's younger brother and most trusted captain, known for his reliability
        and loyalty. It is said that Kevan never had a thought that Tywin hadn't had first.</p>
    <p>
        After Tywin's death, Cersei offered him the position of Hand of the King. However,
        he refused the position and returned to the West. After Cersei's imprisonment, the
        <a href="/w/index.php?title=Organizations_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1"
            class="new" title="Organizations in A Song of Ice and Fire (page does not exist)">
            Small Council</a> named him Regent. Kevan accepted the role as Lord Regent to
        King Tommen and set about trying to fix the mess Cersei made.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Ian_Gelder" title="Ian Gelder">Ian Gelder</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=23"
            title="Edit section: Lancel Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Lancel_Lannister">Lancel Lannister</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lancel is the oldest son of Ser Kevan. At King's Landing, he served as squire to
        King Robert. He is described as looking much like a younger Jaime.</p>
    <p>
        After Robert's death, Lancel was knighted. Cersei took him as a lover while Jaime
        went to war. He guarded Joffrey until Cersei ordered Joffrey to be taken away during
        the Battle of the Blackwater. Lancel took a serious wound in the fighting and later
        chastised Cersei for the damage her action caused to morale.</p>
    <p>
        Lancel lingered near death for a long time and he never fully recovered from his
        wound. Lancel experienced a spiritual reawakening, spending most of his time in
        the sept doing penance for his sins. He renounced his castle, lands and wife and
        left to join an order of holy knights.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Eugene_Simon_(actor)" title="Eugene Simon (actor)"
            class="mw-redirect">Eugene Simon</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=24"
            title="Edit section: Tyrion Lannister">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Tyrion_Lannister">Tyrion Lannister</span></h3>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 122px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Escudo_de_Armas_de_Tyrion_Lannister.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Escudo_de_Armas_de_Tyrion_Lannister.png/120px-Escudo_de_Armas_de_Tyrion_Lannister.png"
                    width="120" height="132" class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Escudo_de_Armas_de_Tyrion_Lannister.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of Arms of Tyrion Lannister.</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Tyrion Lannister, (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">POV character</a> from the start of the series) is Tywin's
        third child, a highly intelligent <a href="/wiki/Dwarfism" title="Dwarfism">dwarf</a>
        mockingly nicknamed "The Imp" and "Halfman". Though Tyrion shares his father's talent
        for political maneuvering, he receives little respect from Tywin because of his
        deformity, sharp tongue, penchant for whoring. His father also at blames him for
        the death of his mother during his birth. He is capable of cruelty to his enemies,
        but also has great sympathy for fellow outcasts and the mistreated.</p>
    <p>
        <i>A Dance with Dragons</i> provides some of Tyrion's biography. He was ten years
        old when the Mad King was killed. He had a love of tumbling and other gymnastics,
        which did not sit well with his father, and was forbidden from taking a tour of
        the Nine Free Cities when he became a man at sixteen, though his uncles Gerion and
        Tygett had done the same. Instead he was given charge of all the cisterns and drains
        at Casterly Rock.</p>
    <p>
        When Tyrion was thirteen, he and his brother rescued a girl, Tysha, on the road
        from a band of attempted rapists. Jaime pursued the scoundrels while Tyrion took
        the girl to a nearby inn. In the books Tysha was a crofter's daughter, in the television
        series a wheelwright's orphan, but either way Tyrion was smitten by the girl and
        they married soon after with a drunken septon performing the marriage. They lived
        as husband and wife for a fortnight, until the septon sobered and told Tywin Lannister.
        Tywin commanded Jaime to tell Tyrion the truth: Jaime arranged the whole thing (road,
        rapists, etc.) so Tyrion would lose his virginity. Jaime also said Tysha was a prostitute,
        although this was not true. Tywin then had Tysha brought to Casterly Rock where
        Tywin gave her to the garrison having each man pay her silver after they raped her.
        He forced Tyrion to go last, paying her with gold "because I was a Lannister, and
        worth more." The event traumatised Tyrion, but made him unendingly grateful to Jaime
        for the earlier sex and marriage.</p>
    <p>
        Tyrion went north with the royal family on their fateful trip to <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Winterfell"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Winterfell</a> before visiting <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Wall"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">The Wall</a>. <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Jon_Snow"
                    title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Jon Snow</a> and Tyrion
        became unlikely friends during this trip, brought together by their common lot in
        life as outcasts.</p>
    <p>
        On Tyrion's return south, <a href="/wiki/House_Tully#Catelyn" title="House Tully"
            class="mw-redirect">Catelyn Stark</a> arrested him as the attempted murderer
        of her son <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Bran_Stark" title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Bran Stark</a> and brought him to her sister, <a href="/wiki/House_Tully#Lysa" title="House Tully"
                class="mw-redirect">Lysa Arryn</a>, in the Eyrie. There, Tyrion tricked
        Lysa into putting him in a public trial for the failed attempt on Bran's life and
        for the murder of <a href="/wiki/House_Arryn#Jon" title="House Arryn" class="mw-redirect">
            Jon Arryn</a>. Tyrion requested trial by combat and was championed by a very
        skilled sellsword named Bronn, whom he befriended during the perilous journey to
        the Eyrie. After winning the trial, Tyrion and Bronn received a virtual death sentence
        and were forced to walk through the hill tribe infested mountains. Rather than die
        at their hands, Tyrion won support from the tribes with promises of weapons and
        aid to seize the Vale of Arryn.</p>
    <p>
        Tyrion returned to the Riverlands with his newfound allies to find it a state of
        war and joined his father's army shortly before the Battle of Green Fork. There,
        Tyrion and his wildlings held the weak left flank against the northern army under
        Bolton, which was driven from the field. Upon learning that Robb Stark had defeated
        Jaime's army in detail at Riverrun and that Joffrey had executed Eddard Stark, Tywin
        sent Tyrion to King's landing to serve as Hand of the King in his stead and to rein
        in the boy-king.</p>
    <p>
        Upon his arrival at King's Landing, Tyrion entered a bitter power struggle with
        Cersei and Joffrey. During his tenure, Tyrion effectively neutralized the Lannister
        house guards and came to be one of the more formidable men in the city, possessing
        a small army of wildlings and sellswords along with the questionable backing of
        the city watch. In preparation for the <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Five_Kings#Battles_Ending_the_War"
            title="War of the Five Kings" class="mw-redirect">Battle of the Blackwater</a>,
        Tyrion arranged for wildfire-filled ships and a massive chain boom across Blackwater
        Rush. He also sent all of his wildlings into the Kingswood to harass <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Stannis"
            title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Stannis Baratheon</a>'s army and
        kill any scouts that might see his preparations. During the Battle of the Blackwater,
        Stannis's fleet entered Blackwater Rush to engage the vastly inferior Lannister
        fleet and to ferry men across the river. Once they entered, Tyrion trapped the majority
        of the fleet inside the river with a chain and set the river aflame with Wildfire.
        Despite destroying most of the fleet, a few men made it across and a burning bridge
        formed across the river. This allowed Stannis's men to seriously threaten the river
        gate. Facing the imminent rout of the City watch, Tyrion personally led a counter
        attack, fighting to the burning bridge in the middle of the battle. He took many
        minor wounds during this, but was eventually incapacitated by his sworn shield,
        Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard. Despite losing his nose, Tyrion is saved by
        his squire Podrick Payne, who kills Ser Mandon.</p>
    <p>
        During Tyrion's recovery, his enemies took steps to remove his power. Most notably
        they took away his control over the city watch, prevented his wildlings from returning
        to him, and paid off his mercenaries. By the time he awoke, Tywin had claimed his
        position as hand of the king and Tyrion found himself as Master of Coin, responsible
        for sifting through Petyr Baelish's labyrinth of finances. Under pressure from his
        father, Tyrion married <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Sansa_Stark"
            title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Sansa Stark</a>, but never consummated
        the marriage, earning him Sansa's gratitude. The unhappy couple were later accused
        of murdering <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Joffrey" title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">
            King Joffrey</a>. While Sansa fled, Tyrion found himself in a trial without
        any witnesses for him. As in the Vale, Tyrion sought trial by combat. Failing to
        convince Bronn to face <a href="/wiki/Minor_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Gregor_Clegane"
            title="Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Gregor Clegane</a>,
        Tyrion found an unlikely champion in Prince Oberyn Martell, who sought revenge upon
        Gregor Clegane. Though Oberyn sent a spear though Gregor's chest and obtained a
        confession for his sister's murder, the dying Gregor killed Oberyn by crushing his
        skull with a single hand, condemning Tyrion to the judgement of the court.</p>
    <p>
        Tyrion was rescued from his cell by Jaime and Varys. Jaime had come to rescue Tyrion
        out of guilt and confessed that he had lied about Tysha, who was not a whore. In
        response, the enraged Tyrion lied to Jaime and admitted to killing Joffrey, calling
        the boy-king a monster worse than Aerys, in addition to telling Jaime the depths
        of Cersei's infidelity and swearing revenge on his father and siblings. Parting
        with Jaime, Tyrion entered the Tower of the Hand and murdered both his father and
        Shae, whom he found on his father's bed.</p>
    <p>
        Tyrion fled across the narrow sea in a ship and passage arranged by Varys and arrived
        at the manse of Illyrio Mopatis. Illyrio made Tyrion aware of Daenarys Targaryen
        and her three dragons and sent Tyrion with other retainers (Jon Connington, Aegon
        VI) to meet up with Daenarys to strengthen her cause. However, while visiting a
        brothel in Volantis, Tyrion was recognised and captured by Ser Jorah Mormont. Ser
        Jorah wanted to bring Tyrion to Daenerys, hoping that handing her over the Kingslayer's
        brother would earn the queen's forgiveness. During the journey a dwarf woman named
        Penny accompanies the pair as well and eventually strikes a friendship with Tyrion.
        Tyrion, Penny and Mormont were captured however by a Yunkai'i Slaver and sold. When
        their new master died of a disease known as "The Pale Mare", as well as "The Bloody
        Flux" the trio used the opportunity to escape and Tyrion managed to get all three
        to join the Sellsword Company "the Second Sons" under the command of Brown Ben Plumm.
        Tyrion wrote notes promising the company great wealth when he becomes Lord of Casterly
        Rock.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Peter_Dinklage" title="Peter Dinklage">Peter Dinklage</a>
        (the top choice of many fans, as well as series author George R. R. Martin)<sup id="cite_ref-4"
            class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span>[</span>5<span>]</span></a></sup>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span>[</span>6<span>]</span></a></sup>
        Dinklage won a <a href="/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Supporting_Actor_in_a_Drama_Series"
            title="Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series">
            Supporting Actor in a Drama</a> <a href="/wiki/Emmy_Award" title="Emmy Award">Emmy</a>
        for the role in 2011. He also won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor
        in a Supporting Role in a Series in 2012.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=25"
            title="Edit section: House Martell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="House_Martell">
                House Martell</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 102px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Lanza_en_el_sol.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Lanza_en_el_sol.png/100px-Lanza_en_el_sol.png"
                    width="100" height="100" class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Lanza_en_el_sol.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of arms of House Martell</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Ruling house of the kingdom of <a href="/wiki/Dorne" title="Dorne" class="mw-redirect">
            Dorne</a>. Their seat is at Sunspear. Their sigil is a gold spear piercing a
        red sun, and their words are "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken".</p>
    <p>
        It is one of the ruling Houses of Dorne, originally a coalition of states and petty
        kingdoms. Lord Mors Martell married the legendary warrior queen of the Rhoyne, Nymeria.
        The two united all of Dorne under their rule and House Martell has reigned for the
        last thousand years. The House follows several Rhoynar customs, using <a href="/wiki/Primogeniture#Absolute_primogeniture"
            title="Primogeniture">equal primogeniture</a> to determine inheritance and styling
        their rulers as 'Prince' rather than 'King.'</p>
    <p>
        Dorne is a very warm land with a large central desert. The Dornishmen bitterly resisted
        Targaryen attempts to make them submit to their rule by force, and therefore have
        distinct traditions and culture compared to the other kingdoms. They only ultimately
        submitted to <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen" title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">
            Targaryen</a> rule through marriage between the two houses. Since then, the
        Martells have ruled Dorne in the name of the King on the Iron Throne, while keeping
        the title Prince of Dorne.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=26"
            title="Edit section: Doran Martell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Doran_Martell">
                Doran Martell</span></h3>
    <p>
        The Prince of Dorne and Lord of Sunspear, Doran Martell is in his fifties and badly
        afflicted with <a href="/wiki/Gout" title="Gout">gout</a>, barely able to walk and
        is usually confined to a wheeled chair. He spends a great deal of time at the Water
        Gardens, the summer home of the Martells, watching children play. He avoids the
        commoners and only sees his trusted courtiers and advisors to hide his weakness
        from his enemies. Unlike most of his kin, Prince Doran is a cautious, pensive man
        who does not wear his emotions on his sleeve. For this, he is considered by the
        other great Lords of Westeros to be very dangerous, and by his own kin to be weak.</p>
    <p>
        Doran originally refused to swear allegiance to King <a href="/wiki/Joffrey_Baratheon"
            title="Joffrey Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Joffrey Baratheon</a> and considered
        supporting <a href="/wiki/Renly_Baratheon" title="Renly Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">
            Renly Baratheon</a>. However, <a href="/wiki/Tyrion_Lannister" title="Tyrion Lannister"
                class="mw-redirect">Tyrion Lannister</a> was able to gain his allegiance
        by sending him <a href="/wiki/Myrcella_Baratheon" title="Myrcella Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">
            Myrcella Baratheon</a> and betrothing her to his son Trystane, offering justice
        for his murdered sister Elia, and giving him a seat on the King's Small Council.
        Doran sent his brother Oberyn to claim both the seat and justice. When Oberyn died
        in King's Landing, Doran refused all suggestion of going to war for vengeance, returning
        to Sunspear to show his people that he still held power. Oberyn's warlike daughters
        "the Sand Snakes" were imprisoned to maintain the peace. Doran revealed that he
        had been planning the downfall of Lord <a href="/wiki/Tywin_Lannister" title="Tywin Lannister"
            class="mw-redirect">Tywin Lannister</a> since his sister Elia's death and he
        intends to ally with <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen" title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">
            House Targaryen</a>.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=27"
            title="Edit section: Arianne Martell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Arianne_Martell">Arianne Martell</span></h3>
    <p>
        The eldest child of Doran and Mellaria, Arianne is the heiress to Sunspear and the
        rule of Dorne through Rhoynar law. She is beautiful, with olive skin, large dark
        eyes, and hair that is a spill of glossy black ringlets. Despite her beauty and
        high station, Arianne is still unmarried at the age of 23. She is calculating, adventurous
        and fierce. She is also close with her cousins, the Sand Snakes.</p>
    <p>
        Arianne appears as a POV character in <i>A Feast For Crows</i>. She has long been
        dissatisfied with her father and his style of rule, thinking him weak and vacillating.
        As heiress to Sunspear, she was permitted to hold the titular governance of Dorne
        when her father was absent at the Water Gardens. Doran's apparently humble marriage
        plans for her brought Arianne to the conclusion that her father intended to pass
        over her in his succession.</p>
    <p>
        Arianne schemed to crown <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Myrcella" title="House Baratheon"
            class="mw-redirect">Myrcella Baratheon</a> following <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Joffrey"
                title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Joffrey Baratheon</a>'s death,
        knowing that would precipitate a war. The plan was foiled, and Myrcella badly scarred.
        She confronted her father with her belief that he intended to deny her inheritance,
        but he revealed that he had planned in secret for her to wed <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen#Viserys"
            title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">Viserys Targaryen</a>, the legal
        Targaryen heir, as part of his overarching scheme to wreak vengeance on <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister"
            title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">House Lannister</a>.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=28"
            title="Edit section: Oberyn Martell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Oberyn_Martell">
                Oberyn Martell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Oberyn is Doran's hot-headed younger brother. He has been called "the Red Viper"
        because of rumors that he poisons his weapons. He is a forceful, lusty man with
        a quick wit and barbed tongue. Oberyn has traveled the world, founded his own mercenary
        company, and even studied at the Citadel. He has eight bastard daughters, called
        the <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Sand_Snakes" title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Sand Snakes</a>, four of them with his current <a href="/wiki/Paramour" title="Paramour"
                class="mw-redirect">paramour</a> Ellaria Sand. He was extremely close to
        his sister Elia growing up and attempted to pledge Dorne for Viserys after her murder
        by Lannister forces during the sack of Kings Landing and has desired revenge ever
        since.</p>
    <p>
        Oberyn went to King's Landing to take his brother's seat on the Small Council, and
        to obtain justice for his sister's murder as promised by <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Tyrion"
            title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Tyrion Lannister</a>. Upon being
        denied this justice, when Tyrion was accused of Joffrey's murder, Oberyn surprised
        everyone by volunteering to champion him in his trial by combat, knowing that his
        opponent would be his sister's killer, <a href="/wiki/Minor_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#House_Clegane"
            title="Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Gregor Clegane</a>.
        Even more so to everyone's surprise, during the combat trial, a revenge obsessed
        Martell managed to wear Gregor down and eventually spear him to the ground (a feat
        unheard of against the Mountain). Unfortunately, believing Clegane to be incapacitated
        beyond respite, the Dornish prince allowed himself to get too close to the Mountain,
        which ultimately proved to be a fatal mistake. While standing on top of Gregor,
        and demanding he confess to the murder of his sister and her children, Clegane managed
        to trip and then kill Oberyn as he made the confession that he killed them the same
        way he was about to kill him (Beating him to death with his bare hands).</p>
    <p>
        However, Oberyn achieved posthumous vengeance since he had coated his spear in thickened
        manticore venom, which left Ser Gregor to die slowly, and in extreme agony. Furthermore,
        the fact that Ser Gregor admitted to killing Elia and her children in front of the
        entire court gave Tywin Lannister no choice but sentence him to face the King’s
        Justice by beheading, provided he managed to somehow survive Oberyn’s poison.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=29"
            title="Edit section: Quentyn Martell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Quentyn_Martell">Quentyn Martell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Quentyn Martell is the elder son and second child of Doran Martell, but not his
        heir owing to Dornish law. Quentyn, while not a handsome man, is intelligent and
        dutiful to his family. Though Doran has put out various misleading rumors as to
        where Quentyn has gone and why, he confessed to Arianne that Quentyn's true mission
        is to court Daenerys, or as Doran describes it, to bring back their "heart's desire":
        "vengeance", "justice" and "fire and blood." In Volantis, Quentyn and his companions
        have trouble securing a ship willing to carry them on to Meereen, and must adopt
        false names and sign on to the Tattered Prince's sellsword company, which has been
        hired by Yunkai to attack the city. However, on reaching Meereen and revealing himself
        to Daenerys, Quentyn learns that she is about to marry another. She tries to reassure
        him not to lose hope for Dorne, reminding him that "the dragon has three heads."
        The day after her marriage, her missing dragon appears and terrorizes a crowd of
        spectators. Daenerys orders the dragon to stop, then mounts him and is carried off.
        Afterwards, it is discovered that she had been offered poisoned food, and Quentyn
        is set up to take the blame by Daenerys's husband, the real poisoner. Not wanting
        to return to Dorne empty-handed, he offers the Tattered Prince the city of Pentos
        in exchange for his support in stealing the remaining two dragons so Quentyn can
        take them back to aid his father's army. While attempting to free the dragons, he
        is severely burned by Rhaegal and dies a few days later from his injuries.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=30"
            title="Edit section: The Sand Snakes">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="The_Sand_Snakes">The Sand Snakes</span></h3>
    <p>
        Oberyn's eight bastard daughters are collectively called the Sand Snakes in reflection
        of their father, the Red Viper. The oldest Sand Snakes are companions and confidantes
        of their cousin, Arianne. Despite the variances in their birthmothers and appearances,
        they are all said to have their father's eyes.</p>
    <p>
        After the death of their father, the oldest of the Sand Snakes, Obara, Nymeria and
        Tyene, began to pressure Prince Doran to declare war in retribution, and became
        involved in various plots to agitate the Dornish populace. Prince Doran had the
        oldest ones confined to tower cells in Sunspear castle, with the exception of Sarella,
        who is elsewhere. The youngest four, however, were isolated in the Water Gardens
        with their mother, to prevent them from being used in the plots of others.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=31"
            title="Edit section: Elia Martell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Elia_Martell">
                Elia Martell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Doran's murdered sister, Elia, was very close to her brother Oberyn. She married
        <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen#Rhaegar" title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">
            Rhaegar Targaryen</a>, the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne,
        and bore him two children: a daughter, Rhaenys and a son, Aegon.</p>
    <p>
        During Robert's Rebellion, Elia and her children were confined in the Red Keep as
        hostages to ensure the obedience of Dorne. When <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Usurper#Sack_of_King.27s_Landing"
            title="War of the Usurper" class="mw-redirect">King's Landing was sacked</a>,
        and the Red Keep captured, Gregor Clegane killed the infant Aegon in front of Elia,
        then raped and murdered her. Her daughter Rhaenys was dragged screaming from beneath
        her father Rhaegar's bed and stabbed to death by Amory Lorch. Lorch and Clegane,
        Lannister bannermen, supposedly killed the royal children on the order of <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Tywin_Lannister"
            title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Tywin Lannister</a>. In reality,
        the youngest child had been replaced with a servant and prince Aegon is currently
        living.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=32"
            title="Edit section: House Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="House_Stark">
                House Stark</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 122px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_House_of_Stark_Png_01.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_House_of_Stark_Png_01.png/120px-Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_House_of_Stark_Png_01.png"
                    width="120" height="132" class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Escudo_de_Armas_de_la_House_of_Stark_Png_01.png" class="internal"
                        title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of Arms of House Stark.</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal noble house in <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_North"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">the North</a>. Their seat is <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Winterfell"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Winterfell</a>. Their sigil is a
        grey <a href="/wiki/Direwolf" title="Direwolf" class="mw-redirect">direwolf</a>
        on a field of ice-white, their colours are grey trimmed with white, and their house
        <a href="/wiki/Motto" title="Motto">motto</a>, referred to in-universe as their
        <i>words</i>, is "Winter Is Coming". At the beginning of the story, Eddard Stark
        finds a dead direwolf with six pups and gives them to his children. Several of the
        main <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">point of view</a> characters of the series are members of
        House Stark.</p>
    <p>
        The Starks are descended from Brandon the Builder, a legendary figure from the Age
        of Heroes thousands of years in the past, who built Winterfell and the <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Wall"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Wall</a>. They were Kings of Winter
        in the North until Torrhen Stark submitted to <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen#Aegon_I"
            title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">Aegon the Conqueror</a> at the end
        of the War of Conquest. Since that time the Starks have held the North for the kings
        of <a href="/wiki/Westeros" title="Westeros" class="mw-redirect">Westeros</a> as
        Lords of Winterfell, Lords Paramount and Wardens of the North.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=33"
            title="Edit section: Eddard Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Eddard_Stark">
                Eddard Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Eddard Stark, informally called "Ned", is Lord of <a href="/wiki/Winterfell" title="Winterfell"
            class="mw-redirect">Winterfell</a> and Warden of the North. He is a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)"
                title="Point of view (literature)" class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>
        and the protagonist of the first book of series <i><a href="/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones"
            title="A Game of Thrones">A Game of Thrones</a></i>. He and <a href="#Catelyn_Tully">
                Catelyn Tully Stark</a> have five children, and he claims a bastard son,
        <a href="#Jon_Snow">Jon Snow</a>. Eddard is known for his sense of honor and justice;
        he dislikes deceit, intrigue, and secrecy. Though his family finds him kind, some
        consider his reserved personality a sign of inflexible coldness and disdain. Ned
        is also a devout follower of the Old Gods, the gods of the First Men. These gods
        are also said to be the gods of the Children of the Forest, original inhabitants
        of Westeros.</p>
    <p>
        Ned was fostered by <a href="#Jon_Arryn">Jon Arryn</a> at <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Eyrie"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">the Eyrie</a>, alongside <a href="#Robert_Baratheon">
                Robert Baratheon</a>. Ned befriended Robert, and came to consider Lord Arryn
        a second father. <a href="#Aerys_II_Targaryen">King Aerys II</a> demanded that Arryn
        send him the heads of the two wards (having already had Ned's father and brother
        murdered on charges of treason). Arryn refused, launching a rebellion in which Ned
        and Robert joined as lords of their houses and chief commanders. Shortly before
        the final battles of the rebellion, Ned married Catelyn Tully, who had been betrothed
        to Ned's brother Brandon before his death. Ned was present, along with <a href="/wiki/Characters_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Howland_Reed"
            title="Characters in A Song of Ice and Fire">Howland Reed</a>, at a tower on
        the Dornish border known as the "Tower of Joy" when his sister Lyanna died there,
        an incident that haunted Ned ever after.</p>
    <p>
        Once the conflict had ended and Robert had taken the throne, Ned returned home,
        bringing with him a bastard son, Jon, about whose origins he refused to speak. He
        spent the next fifteen years as Lord of Winterfell. He rarely left his lands, and
        did not involve himself in the complex intrigues of the southern courts.</p>
    <p>
        King Robert travelled to Winterfell to ask Eddard to replace Arryn as Hand of the
        King, the monarch's closest advisor. Ned wanted to decline, but went south at his
        wife's urging to investigate Arryn's death. He discovered that Robert's children
        were actually sired by Cersei's brother, <a href="#Jaime_Lannister">Jaime Lannister</a>.
        Pursuing his usual forthright, honorable approach, he confronted Cersei, giving
        her the opportunity to flee in disgrace. Instead, Cersei used her time to orchestrate
        Robert's assassination. Cersei imprisoned Ned for treason and her council arranged
        banishment for a plea bargain. However, <a href="#Joffrey_Baratheon">Joffrey</a>
        capriciously had him publicly beheaded, against Cersei and her council's wishes.
        Eddard was to be given the option to serve Joffrey at King's Landing or be sent
        to The Wall instead, considerably lesser offenses to his house.</p>
    <p>
        He was portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Sean_Bean" title="Sean Bean">Sean Bean</a> in
        the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=34"
            title="Edit section: Robb Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Robb_Stark">
                Robb Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Robb is Eddard Stark's eldest legitimate child, and the heir to Winterfell. He is
        the only major Stark that is not a POV character. He bears great responsibility
        with scant complaint, and shares his father's devotion to honor and justice. He
        is very close to his bastard half-brother Jon Snow, and uncomfortably aware of his
        mother Catelyn's antipathy toward Jon. His appearance favors his Tully side, with
        a stocky build, blue eyes, and thick auburn hair. His companion direwolf is named
        Grey Wind. Robb is named for King Robert.</p>
    <p>
        When Eddard became the King's Hand, Robb remained at Winterfell to rule in his father's
        stead. Upon Eddard's execution, Robb was declared King in the North by his father's
        bannermen, who rallied to his cause. Robb won many great battles against the <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister"
            title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Lannister</a> armies, which led
        him to be known as the <i>"Young Wolf"</i>, but he believed that he botched the
        non-martial aspects of the war.</p>
    <p>
        His downfall was triggered by failure to fulfill one of his mother's pacts that
        cemented his shaky alliances. As part of an agreement with <a href="/wiki/House_Frey"
            title="House Frey" class="mw-redirect">House Frey</a>, she pledged to Lord Walder
        Frey that Robb would marry a Frey woman. Instead, Robb married Jeyne Westerling,
        daughter of a minor House serving House Lannister. Full of conflicting emotions
        over deflowering her after she tended his battle wound and comforted him following
        his brothers' murders, Robb quietly wed Jeyne, naming her his queen. The controversial
        marriage incited the rage of House Frey; Robb offered an apology to Lord Frey for
        breaking his pledge, and believed the matter resolved.</p>
    <p>
        Lord Frey's apparent forgiveness was proven false when Robb attended his uncle's
        wedding to a Frey: Robb, his wolf Grey Wind, his mother, and many of his men were
        murdered by Frey soldiers. Roose Bolton personally slew the young king, and his
        body was defiled. Because of the bloodshed, this event became known as the Red Wedding.
        The incident outraged Robb Stark's surviving loyal bannermen, and sullied the honor
        of House Frey, which had violated one of the oldest traditions of the Seven Kingdoms:
        that of the safety of guests who have been given food and shelter.</p>
    <p>
        Shortly before Robb was assassinated, he may have designated an heir, believing
        his brothers and his sister Arya to be dead. Robb and his mother agreed that his
        sister Sansa, as the sole remaining lawful child of Eddard Stark, should be specifically
        disinherited to forestall her prospective children by Tyrion Lannister from having
        claim to Winterfell. He suggested despite his mother's protest on Jon Snow as the
        most plausible heir to Winterfell, as a son of Eddard Stark, though whether or not
        this was made official is never explicitly revealed. Many lords that knew the identity
        of Robb's chosen heir were slain at the Red Wedding, yet others still live that
        know who it is.</p>
    <p>
        Although young, Robb was a brilliant military tactician and strategist. He demonstrated
        this brilliance on several occasions, such as when he outmaneuvered Lord Tywin Lannister
        and rescued Riverrun, subsequently capturing Jaime Lannister. It is also revealed
        that he planned to assail the impregnable Moat Cailin from three directions and
        his commanders were confident the plan would work; however, he never had the chance
        to put the plan in action. Much like his father Ned, Robb was short-sighted of the
        political games being played throughout the war, a flaw that cost him the allegiance
        of the Freys, the Karstarks, the Boltons and ultimately, his life.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Richard_Madden" title="Richard Madden">Richard Madden</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=35"
            title="Edit section: Sansa Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Sansa_Stark">
                Sansa Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Catelyn and Eddard's elder daughter, Sansa (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)"
            title="Point of view (literature)" class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>) has
        traditional feminine graces and is a strong believer in the notions of <a href="/wiki/Chivalry"
            title="Chivalry">chivalry</a> portrayed in stories and songs. She is traditionally
        beautiful, with high cheekbones, vivid blue eyes, thick red hair and, as she grows
        up, a tall and graceful figure. She excels at many female leisure activities, including
        singing, dancing, fashion, and social graces. She has a strained relationship with
        her sister Arya, whose interests are opposite in many respects and bewildering to
        Sansa. Her direwolf companion was named Lady.</p>
    <p>
        When her father Eddard became the Hand of the King, eleven-year old Sansa was delighted
        at the prospect of life at court in <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#King.27s_Landing"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">King's Landing</a>, and thrilled to
        be betrothed to the handsome <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Joffrey_Baratheon" title="House Baratheon"
            class="mw-redirect">Prince Joffrey</a>. She adored Joffrey in spite of his violent
        mood swings. Still trusting those at the royal court to be noble, she unknowingly
        aided the queen's plot against Eddard. It was only when her father was beheaded
        at Joffrey's command that Sansa saw Joffrey for what he really was.</p>
    <p>
        No longer certain whom she could trust, she remained courteous to everyone she met,
        including Joffrey's scarred personal bodyguard <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Sandor_Clegane"
            title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Sandor Clegane</a>,
        who was by turns brusque and gentle with her. During this time she also learned
        to lie, or at least to say things that could be misinterpreted to her advantage.
        In the end the Hound became enamoured with her and during the Battle of Blackwater
        offered to take her away from the city, but thanks to the panic of the battle, she
        refused, though she recognized that it was only the fire he feared.</p>
    <p>
        Sansa was forced to marry the king's uncle, the sardonic dwarf <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Tyrion_Lannister"
            title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Tyrion Lannister</a>. Dismayed by
        her new husband's hideous appearance and horrified by the deaths of her siblings
        and parents, a now thirteen-year old Sansa hid her feelings and tried to present
        a genteel facade though repelled at the thought of sex with her misshapen husband.
        Tyrion, aware of this, never forced her to consummate the marriage, earning him
        a measure of Sansa's gratitude.</p>
    <p>
        Sansa escaped King's Landing on the day of Joffrey's wedding during the chaos caused
        by Joffrey's poisoning and death. She was yet again disillusioned when she learned
        that her gallant rescuer was paid by <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Petyr_Baelish"
            title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Petyr Baelish</a>.
        Baelish took her to the Eyrie, incognito as Baelish's bastard daughter. Baelish
        married Sansa's aunt, <a href="/wiki/House_Tully#Lysa_Arryn" title="House Tully"
            class="mw-redirect">Lysa Arryn</a>, whom Baelish later killed. Sansa became
        the mistress of the Eyrie and learned something of courtly intrigues from Baelish.
        Baelish planned for her marriage to <a href="/wiki/House_Arryn#Harrold_Hardyng" title="House Arryn"
            class="mw-redirect">Harrold Hardyng</a>, the heir to <a href="/wiki/House_Arryn"
                title="House Arryn" class="mw-redirect">House Arryn</a>, followed by the
        eventual revelation of her true identity and the reclaiming of Winterfell in her
        name.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Sophie_Turner_(actress)" title="Sophie Turner (actress)">
            Sophie Turner</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=36"
            title="Edit section: Arya Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Arya_Stark">
                Arya Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Arya (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>) is a spirited tomboy with an interest
        in fighting and exploring. Her character contrasts with her elegant sister Sansa,
        whom she often describes as "stupid." Arya displays great resourcefulness, cunning
        and an unflinching ability to accept hard necessity. She is skinny, athletic and
        often mistaken for a boy. She has strong Stark family features, with a long face
        and brown hair. She is said to take after her fiery aunt Lyanna in temperament and
        appearance. Her direwolf companion was named Nymeria. Arya is the only character
        to have a POV in all five completed novels.</p>
    <p>
        Arya was forced to abandon her direwolf Nymeria to protect the animal's life after
        it bit Prince Joffrey to defend her; since then she carried a grudge against the
        crown prince and the queen. While at court, she trained under <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Syrio_Forel"
            title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Syrio Forel</a>,
        a celebrated Braavosi swordsman. Under his strict but creative tutelage, Arya learned
        to fence in the Braavosi style. During the purge of Starks from the Red Keep, Syrio
        held off Arya's attackers as she fled the castle, and she lived on the streets until
        the day of her father's public execution. Yoren, a recruiter from the <a href="/wiki/Night%27s_Watch"
            title="Night's Watch" class="mw-redirect">Night's Watch</a>, smuggled her out
        of the city.</p>
    <p>
        With no family or home, and being hunted for a highborn prisoner, Arya traveled
        with several groups under different names. She and her chance companions were captured
        and recaptured numerous times. During one skirmish, Arya saved the lives of a <a
            href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Free_Cities" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Braavosi</a> assassin called <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Jaqen_H.27ghar"
                title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Jaqen H'ghar</a>
        and two others. At Harrenhall, she worked as a servant girl. Jaqen recognized Arya
        on arriving at the castle, and offered her three murders to repay the God of Death
        for the lives she saved. She named two choices. For the last death, she chose Jaqen
        himself. In an effort to make her unsay his name he helped her free the imprisoned
        northmen, her father's men; before they parted, Jaqen gave her an ancient coin,
        which would ensure free passage on any Braavosi ship. Arya escaped once more, and
        was captured again.</p>
    <p>
        <a href="/wiki/Minor_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Sandor_Clegane" title="Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire"
            class="mw-redirect">Sandor Clegane</a> then stole her away to return her to
        her brother Robb and collect a rich reward. Clegane and Arya reached the Frey castle
        just as Arya's brother and mother were slaughtered. Clegane decided that the only
        place left to take her was to the Vale of Arryn, which was ruled by Arya's aunt,
        the Lady Lysa. On the way, Clegane took a seemingly mortal wound, and Arya retrieved
        her stolen sword Needle from a corpse. Clegane's wound deteriorated, and Arya left
        him to die. Arya then caught a ship to Braavos at the nearby town of Saltpans. Upon
        arrival at Braavos she became an acolyte of the <a href="/wiki/Free_Cities_(A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire)#The_Guild_of_the_Faceless_Men"
            title="Free Cities (A Song of Ice and Fire)" class="mw-redirect">Faceless Men</a>,
        the elite and terrifying company of professional assassins to which Jaqen H'ghar
        belonged. Arya's training included abandoning all personal identity. As part of
        her training, she spent time in the city of Braavos under the new identity of "Cat".
        During this time she encountered <a href="/wiki/Samwell_Tarly" title="Samwell Tarly"
            class="mw-redirect">Samwell Tarly</a> and Dareon from the <a href="/wiki/Night%27s_Watch"
                title="Night's Watch" class="mw-redirect">Night's Watch</a>. Upon discovering
        Dareon was deserting his oath, Arya murdered him. Upon returning to the Faceless
        Men and admitting the death was at her hands, she was given milk with a "bitter
        aftertaste" and awoke blind the next morning.</p>
    <p>
        It is later revealed in <a href="/wiki/A_Dance_with_Dragons" title="A Dance with Dragons">
            A Dance with Dragons</a> that it was only a stage in her training that all novices
        pass through. Her sight is later restored when she learns to sharpen her other four
        senses as well. Before being offered her first assignment, an insurance seller on
        the docks, she is asked once again if she wishes to leave, but chooses to stay.
        She receives her first face, the "ugly girl", and disguised like this she steals
        one of the banker's client's coins. The kindly man chides her that they should not
        steal, but give the gifts of 'He of Many Faces'. When Arya says that she left another
        coin in its stead, he answers "Ah, one of ours." Previously, it was disclosed that
        her assassination target bit all gold coins to verify their authenticity.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Maisie_Williams" title="Maisie Williams">Maisie Williams</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=37"
            title="Edit section: Bran Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Bran_Stark">
                Bran Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Catelyn and Eddard's second son, Bran (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)"
            title="Point of view (literature)" class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>) is
        a boy who enjoys climbing and exploring Winterfell. He is adventurous and tough-minded,
        "almost a man grown" at seven years old. He is named for his deceased <a href="#Brandon">
            uncle Brandon</a>, elder brother of Eddard. He dreams of one day being a great
        knight. His direwolf companion is (eventually) named Summer.</p>
    <p>
        King Robert visits Winterfell to convince Eddard Stark to serve as his Hand. Many
        of the party go hunting in Winterfell's woods, but Bran is deemed too young and
        stays behind. He climbs numerous castle walls, and sees a curious thing: <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Cersei"
            title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Queen Cersei</a> and her twin brother
        <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Jaime" title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Jaime
            Lannister</a> having sex. Jaime pushes Bran from the window to preserve their
        secret. Bran survives, although comatose with a broken back. Catelyn is hysterical
        with grief. Eddard, Arya, and Sansa had already left for King's Landing and Jon
        Snow left for the Wall — of the immediate Stark family, just Catelyn, Robb, and
        Rickon are left behind with Bran. After setting fire to the library tower as an
        attempt diversion, a would-be assassin is dismayed to find Catelyn in Bran's room.
        As Catelyn is fighting off the attacker, Bran's fiercely protective direwolf enters
        and tears out the assassin's throat. Catelyn leaves Winterfell for King's Landing
        to confront the assassin's boss whom she perceives to be Tyrion Lannister.</p>
    <p>
        Bran has visions of himself falling again, and dreams of a three-eyed crow flying
        by his side. He experiences a number of seemingly prophetic visions. He awakens
        from his coma, and is immediately greeted by his direwolf, whom he names "Summer."
        Bran is paralyzed from the waist down. He has also repressed the events immediately
        before his fall. Bran slowly realizes that he has gained the ability to assume Summer's
        wolf consciousness. The rare individuals in Westeros who are able do this are referred
        to as wargs or skinchangers.</p>
    <p>
        After Robb is crowned King in the North, Bran, as Robb's heir, became the Lord of
        Winterfell and ruled the castle while his brother is at war with the Lannisters
        (the War of the Five Kings). Meera and Jojen Reed of Greywater Watch stay at Winterfell
        to help him. They are the children of Eddard Stark's trusted comrade, Howland Reed,
        come to pledge the fealty of House Reed. Jojen Reed recognizes Bran's ability as
        a warg and instructs him on how to use this skill properly. Jojen claims that if
        Bran goes north beyond the Wall, he could find his three-eyed crow. When <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Theon_Greyjoy"
            title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Theon Greyjoy</a> betrays the
        Starks and captures Winterfell naming himself Prince Of Winterfell in the process,
        Bran and his companions Meera and Jojen head north after initially hiding in the
        crypts. They eventually end up at the Nightfort, an abandoned castle at the Wall.
        Inside, they meet <a href="/wiki/Minor_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Samwell_Tarly"
            title="Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Samwell Tarly</a>,
        who, at the behest of Coldhands, takes them through "The Black Gate", a hidden gate
        at the bottom of a well which only opens for men of the Nights Watch. Journeying
        north beyond the wall, Bran eventually reaches a refuge used by the Children of
        the Forest, where he meets the "three-eyed crow". Right before he makes it to the
        cave he is attacked by White Walkers and is saved by Coldhands who cannot enter
        the cave. This person, a greenseer who had been projecting himself into Bran's dreams,
        is immensely old and has largely been swallowed up into the roots of a weirwood
        tree. The greenseers name was originally Brynden and he claims to be of noble birth,
        or at least think he was of noble birth. He begins to expand Bran's ability to enter
        into other creatures, and begins to instruct him on seeing through the weirwood
        trees.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Isaac_Hempstead-Wright" title="Isaac Hempstead-Wright">
            Isaac Hempstead-Wright</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=38"
            title="Edit section: Rickon Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Rickon_Stark">
                Rickon Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Eddard's youngest child, only three years old when the series begins. Rickon is
        named for Eddard Stark's father who was killed by the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen
        before Robert's Rebellion. Rickon is a naturally aggressive and strong-willed child.
        However, his youth makes it difficult for him to cope with the terrible changes
        that are brought upon his life and family by war. His direwolf companion is named
        Shaggydog.</p>
    <p>
        Shortly after Eddard's death, both Bran and Rickon shared a vision of their father's
        spirit in the family crypts. Alone with his crippled brother Bran at Winterfell,
        Rickon developed an unruly, often violent temper. His fear and rage were reflected
        in his direwolf, Shaggydog, who turned largely feral and savage, attacking several
        people before being restrained. Several times Bran's direwolf Summer forced Shaggydog
        into submission. Rickon hid with Bran in the crypts during Theon Greyjoy's brief
        reign at Winterfell. When Winterfell was sacked and burned, the brothers were separated
        for their own safety. The wildling woman Osha took Rickon and Shaggydog to parts
        unknown. Once Lord Wyman Manderly of White Harbor learns that Rickon has survived,
        he enlisted the help of Davos Seaworth to retrieve him.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/w/index.php?title=Art_Parkinson&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1"
            class="new" title="Art Parkinson (page does not exist)">Art Parkinson</a> in
        the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=39"
            title="Edit section: Jon Snow">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Jon_Snow">
                Jon Snow</span></h3>
    <p>
        Jon Snow is a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>, and known publicly as the <a href="/wiki/Illegitimacy"
                title="Illegitimacy" class="mw-redirect">illegitimate</a> son of Eddard
        Stark. He is named after Eddard's friend and foster father, Jon Arryn, and his surname
        is given to all illegitimate children in the North. His mother's identity is not
        known, not even to Jon.</p>
    <p>
        Jon is the same age as Eddard's oldest son Robb. Ned brought him to Winterfell after
        the 'Battle of the Tower of Joy', which only Ned and <a href="/wiki/Minor_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Howland_Reed"
            title="Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Howland Reed</a>
        survived. Despite his wife Catelyn's objections, Ned insisted on taking responsibility
        for the boy, and he grew up side-by-side with the legitimate Starks. He has a long
        face, grey eyes and lean build, with strong Stark coloring. He looks more like Lord
        Eddard than any of Lady Stark's children except for Arya. Jon's life at Winterfell
        is made arduous due to issues of his illegitimacy and Catelyn's antipathy toward
        him. However, he has warm relationships with his half-siblings, especially Arya,
        Bran and Robb. He idolizes his father but is wounded by Ned's refusal to ever discuss
        his mother, or even reveal her name.</p>
    <p>
        In the beginning of <i>A Game of Thrones</i>, Jon and Robb Stark find a dead mother
        direwolf with five living cubs. Jon argues that this is a sign that the cubs should
        be taken to Winterfell and trained, pointing out that there is one cub for each
        of the legitimate Stark children. However, as they are leaving, Jon finds the runt
        of the litter, a small albino pup. This pup becomes Jon's direwolf, whom he names
        Ghost.</p>
    <p>
        Jon's illegitimacy as a source of discontent to Catelyn increases. Upon Ned's acceptance
        of the position of Hand, Catelyn insists that Jon must not remain at Winterfell.
        Jon's uncle <a href="/wiki/List_of_characters_in_Game_of_Thrones#Night.27s_Watch"
            title="List of characters in Game of Thrones">Benjen Stark</a>, grants Jon's
        request to join the Night's Watch, over Ned's early concerns. Night's Watch membership
        deprives those invested of traditional rights to lands and titles. This allays some
        of Catelyn's concerns over possible conflict over succession to the Stark titles.</p>
    <p>
        Jon soon learns the harsh truth of Night's Watch membership from Tyrion Lannister
        (who is accompanying the new recruits) that the Night's Watch is now composed mostly
        of society's rejects, criminals and exiles.</p>
    <p>
        Initial contempt for his lowborn colleagues of the Watch gives way to comradeship
        as Jon puts aside his prejudices and unites the recruits against the sadistic master-at-arms,
        especially for cowardly but good-natured <a href="/wiki/Minor_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Samwell_Tarly"
            title="Minor houses in A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Samwell Tarly</a>.
        Jon becomes steward to the Lord Commander. Shortly afterwards Jon joins a scouting
        expedition to investigate the disappearances of several rangers, including Benjen.
        On the orders of veteran ranger Qhorin Halfhand, Jon infiltrates the Wildling army
        led by the self-styled "King Beyond the Wall" <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Mance_Rayder"
            title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Mance Rayder</a>,
        and learns his plans to cross into the Seven Kingdoms. During this time, Jon falls
        in love with a Wildling warrior named Ygritte. Jon manages to get away from the
        Wildlings and make his way back to Castle Black, which the Wildlings subsequently
        attack. During this assault, Jon takes command of the men left defending the Wall.
        Despite overwhelming odds, Jon successfully fends off the opposing forces (including
        Ygritte, who is killed) until the timely arrival of <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Stannis_Baratheon"
            title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Stannis Baratheon</a>'s army.
        Soon after this, "Lord Snow" is voted the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.</p>
    <p>
        Stannis offers to legitimize Jon and name him Lord of Winterfell if Jon will break
        his vow to the Night's Watch, cut down Winterfell's heart tree—a tree holy to the
        old gods traditionally worshipped by the Starks—and convert to the worship of the
        Lord of Light. Jon refuses and retains his title of Lord Commander of the Night's
        Watch. An uneasy truce is kept between the two. Stannis leaves to defeat the Ironmen
        and Bolton/Frey armies camped in the North. Soon after this, Jon receives a letter
        from Ramsay Bolton, which states that Stannis was defeated at Winterfell, threatens
        Jon, and demands his bride, Jon's sister Arya, back (though the woman wed to Ramsay
        was actually Jeyne Poole, former friend of Sansa Stark, who had been forced to impersonate
        Arya and forcibly given to the Boltons). Jon convinces many of those Wildlings housed
        at Castle Black to march south on Ramsay Bolton, but is stabbed at least four times
        by brothers of the Night's Watch including his Lord Steward (and second-in-command)
        Bowen Marsh at the close of <i>A Dance With Dragons</i>. Martin often ends chapters
        with cliffhangers where it is unclear whether a character actually died, so at the
        end of the book, it remains uncertain whether Jon is dead.</p>
    <p>
        Jon has no idea who his mother might be. Several different characters discuss at
        different points who the mother of Ned Stark's bastard might be. In <i>A Game of Thrones</i>,
        it is supposed that Ned Stark "dishonoured" his marriage to Catelyn with a <a href="/wiki/Wet_nurse"
            title="Wet nurse">wet nurse</a> named Wylla who was employed at Starfall; Catelyn
        speculates that the mother was Ashara Dayne, also of Starfall, with whom Ser Barristan
        Selmy was in love. Eddard Stark refuses to discuss the subject. This speculation
        is repeated by others in other books. In <i>A Dance With Dragons</i>, Lord Godric
        of Sisterton contends that Jon is the son of a fisherman's daughter, whose father
        perished to send Ned Stark across the Bite during Robert's Rebellion.</p>
    <p>
        Erik Kain, of <a href="/wiki/Forbes" title="Forbes">Forbes</a> voices the theory
        that Jon is actually the child of Eddard's sister, Lyanna Stark, and Rhaegar Targaryen.
        Eddard took him as his own supposed bastard after his sister died at the Tower of
        Joy, at the end of Robert's Rebellion.<sup id="cite_ref-Forbes1_6-0" class="reference"><a
            href="#cite_note-Forbes1-6"><span>[</span>7<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Kit_Harington" title="Kit Harington">Kit Harington</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=40"
            title="Edit section: Lyanna Stark">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Lyanna_Stark">
                Lyanna Stark</span></h3>
    <p>
        Eddard's only sister, Lyanna died at the end of Robert's Rebellion.</p>
    <p>
        Lyanna was betrothed to Robert Baratheon, who was infatuated with her. Lyanna was
        not as ardent in her love for Robert and was aware of his philandering ways. At
        the tourney at Harrenhal, Prince <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Rhaegar_Targaryen"
            title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Rhaegar Targaryen</a> crowned
        her Queen of Love and Beauty and gave her a crown of winter roses, passing over
        his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia. When Lyanna and Rhaegar disappeared together
        shortly thereafter, it was treated as a non-consensual abduction by her fiancé Robert
        and older brother Brandon. Their anger over the event led to Brandon's horrific
        execution by King Aerys and Robert's Rebellion. At the end of the war and after
        Rhaegar's death at the Trident, Eddard and six companions went to rescue Lyanna
        from the "Tower of Joy". Lyanna was guarded by three Kingsguard knights who killed
        all but Eddard and Howland Reed. In the Tower Eddard found Lyanna dying "in a bed
        of blood", and her last words to him were "Promise me, Ned". She was buried in the
        ancestral crypts of Winterfell.</p>
    <p>
        Lyanna was described by those who knew her as a spirited young woman, and more than
        a little wild. She was said to exhibit the typical Stark colorings and was regarded
        as beautiful. Comparisons are made between her and Arya, both in appearance and
        temperament.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=41"
            title="Edit section: House Targaryen">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="House_Targaryen">House Targaryen</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 122px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Three_dragons.png" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Three_dragons.png/120px-Three_dragons.png"
                    width="120" height="156" class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Three_dragons.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of Arms of House Targaryen</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal house of all the seven kingdoms of <a href="/wiki/Westeros" title="Westeros"
            class="mw-redirect">Westeros</a> for nearly 300 years until fifteen years before
        the events of <i>A Game of Thrones</i>. All the major houses are sworn to them.
        Their seats were the capital city of <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#King.27s_Landing"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">King's Landing</a> and the island fortress
        of <a href="/wiki/Dragonstone" title="Dragonstone" class="mw-redirect">Dragonstone</a>.
        Their device is a three-headed dragon breathing flames, red on black; and their
        words are "Fire and Blood".</p>
    <p>
        The Targaryen family hails from the fabled city of <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Valyria"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Valyria</a> on the eastern continent
        of Essos. Before the Doom of Valyria, the cataclysmic event that destroyed the ancient
        civilization, the Targaryens departed for the island citadel of Dragonstone off
        the Westerosi shore, the westernmost outpost in Valyria's vast empire. A century
        after the Doom, Aegon I, styled the Conqueror, began his conquest of mainland Westeros,
        landing with dragons and an army (at what would later be called <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#King.27s_Landing"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">King's Landing</a>). Six of the seven
        Westerosi kingdoms fell before him; the seventh, Dorne, later joined through a political
        marriage. The Targaryen dragons, which were the last known to exist, went extinct
        over a century after Aegon's conquest.</p>
    <p>
        Unique among noble Westerosi families, the Targaryens follow the Valyrian practice
        of line marriage, wedding brother to sister. The phrase "blood of the dragon" refers
        to a number of typical Targaryen features: silvery-gold (or platinum) hair and violet
        eyes.</p>
    <p>
        House Targaryen was deposed by Robert Baratheon in the War of the Usurper, fifteen
        years before the events of <i>A Game of Thrones</i>, killing most of the family
        in the process. Surviving heirs Viserys and Daenerys fled into exile across the
        narrow sea.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=42"
            title="Edit section: Viserys Targaryen">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Viserys_Targaryen">Viserys Targaryen</span></h3>
    <p>
        Second son of Aerys II, Viserys fled <a href="/wiki/Westeros" title="Westeros" class="mw-redirect">
            Westeros</a> along with his sister Daenerys, and spent the next fifteen years
        wandering the <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Free_Cities" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Free Cities</a>. He is a cruel, ambitious man, blunt of speech and given to
        violent mood swings. He hopes to return to Westeros and reclaim his father's throne.
        He is often mocked as the Beggar King since he must rely on the generosity of those
        sympathetic to his cause.</p>
    <p>
        Viserys arranged the marriage of Daenerys to Khal Drogo, hoping to buy Drogo's armies
        with her, and to use them to reclaim the Seven Kingdoms. Viserys, while ambitious,
        was blind to reality; he saw himself as a rightful ruler of the people of Westeros
        due instant respect, awe and admiration, never noticing that even his sister and
        his sworn knight <a href="/wiki/Jorah_Mormont#Jorah_Mormont" title="Jorah Mormont"
            class="mw-redirect">Jorah Mormont</a> scorned his petty, vindictive nature.
        Despite a constant loss of dignity and standing among Drogo's <i>khalasar</i> for
        his outrageous behavior, flouting numerous Dothraki taboos, he continued to demand
        Drogo's aid and verbally abused his sister. Drogo, considering Viserys rude and
        too dishonorable to be a king or ruler of any sort, keeps giving him the runaround
        about what Viserys thinks is owed to him, while Daenerys, imbued by her newfound
        power as Drogo's <i>khaleesi</i>, began to stand up for herself, refusing to let
        Viserys bully her. The final straw was when he drew a sword in the sacred city of
        Vaes Dothrak (where it was forbidden to carry weapons or spill blood) and threatened
        the life of his sister and Drogo's unborn baby unless he received the crown Drogo
        promised. Drogo responded by "crowning" him with molten gold, killing him.</p>
    <p>
        He was portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Harry_Lloyd" title="Harry Lloyd">Harry Lloyd</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=43"
            title="Edit section: Daenerys Targaryen">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Daenerys_Targaryen">Daenerys Targaryen</span></h3>
    <p>
        <b>Daenerys Targaryen</b> aka <b>Daenerys Stormborn</b> or <b>Dany</b> is a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)"
            title="Point of view (literature)" class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>. Like
        her brother, she has silver hair and violet eyes and is one of the last members
        of the ancient <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen" title="House Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">
            Targaryen</a> Dynasty, the former royal family of <a href="/wiki/Westeros" title="Westeros"
                class="mw-redirect">Westeros</a>.</p>
    <p>
        Daenerys' pregnant mother and her brother <a href="/wiki/Viserys_Targaryen" title="Viserys Targaryen"
            class="mw-redirect">Viserys Targaryen</a> fled to the island fortress of <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Dragonstone"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Dragonstone</a>, where her mother
        died in labor during a monstrous storm. Shortly thereafter, Dragonstone fell to
        the rebel forces, and Daenerys and Viserys were smuggled away to the Free City of
        <a href="/wiki/Braavos" title="Braavos" class="mw-redirect">Braavos</a>.</p>
    <p>
        In the years that followed, she and Viserys wandered among the nine <a href="/wiki/Free_Cities_(A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire)"
            title="Free Cities (A Song of Ice and Fire)" class="mw-redirect">Free Cities</a>
        looking for aid to retake the Iron Throne. Daenerys at the beginning of the series
        was a very beautiful but shy and meek young woman who was terrified of her brother
        Viserys' temper. In the Free City of <a href="/wiki/Pentos_(A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire)"
            title="Pentos (A Song of Ice and Fire)" class="mw-redirect">Pentos</a>, the
        Targaryens were the guests of <a href="/wiki/Illyrio_Mopatis" title="Illyrio Mopatis"
            class="mw-redirect">Illyrio Mopatis</a>, a rich and powerful magister. Illyrio
        and Viserys arranged to marry the thirteen-year-old Daenerys to <a href="/wiki/Khal_Drogo"
            title="Khal Drogo" class="mw-redirect">Khal Drogo</a>, a warlord of nomadic
        <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Dothraki_Sea" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Dothraki</a>. Viserys hoped to gain Drogo's army to conquer Westeros. At her
        wedding, she received a set of three petrified dragon eggs from Illyrio. The freedom
        and power of her new role as <i>khaleesi</i> (queen) helped Daenerys blossom into
        a strong and confident young woman, even beginning to stand up to Viserys.</p>
    <p>
        Daenerys, her brother, and the <i>khalasar</i> traveled east to Vaes Dothrak, where
        Daenerys was presented to the crones, who prophesied that her child would be a long-prophesied
        Dothraki conqueror. Viserys grew increasingly impatient, demanding that Drogo help
        him retake his crown. This led Khal Drogo to "crown" him by dumping a pot of molten
        gold over his head, killing him.</p>
    <p>
        Daenerys took pity on a slave, a <i>maegi</i> and wise woman, from a village newly
        conquered by Drogo's <i>khalasar</i>. Drogo was wounded in battle. Daenerys ordered
        the wise woman to heal him. Later on, the infection of Drogo's wound brought him
        to the verge of death and Daenerys asked the <i>maegi</i> to save him. The "maegi",
        to revenge the burning of her God's temple, deliberately guided Daenerys to perform
        the Blood Magic Ritual, fully aware that the life it would give Drogo would be catatonic,
        and that Daenerys's child in the womb would pay with its own life for that which
        Drogo received. Daenerys ended Drogo's life herself, and entered the flames of his
        funeral pyre with her dragon eggs, along with tying the <i>maegi</i> to the pyre
        in revenge for her betrayal. This hatched the eggs, birthing the first three <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Dragons"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">dragons</a> in the known world for centuries.
        Daenerys herself remained unburned, and with the slaves and other loyal Dothraki,
        she set up her own Khalasar, becoming the first female Dothraki leader, a <i>khal</i>
        in her own right.</p>
    <p>
        Daenerys sent out scouts in all directions. One returned with three emissaries from
        <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Qarth" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Qarth</a>. Daenerys accompanied them to Qarth, hoping for aid in conquering
        Westeros, but the merchants of Qarth were only interested in obtaining her dragons.
        A warlock invited her to visit his leaders, the Undying Ones. Daenerys realized
        that the warlocks were plotting against her. Daenerys considered the suggestion
        of the third emissary, a masked woman from <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Asshai"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Asshai</a>, that she must go further
        east to conquer the west.</p>
    <p>
        In Qarth an assassin tried to kill Dany, but an old man (actually <a href="/wiki/Barristan_Selmy"
            title="Barristan Selmy" class="mw-redirect">Barristan Selmy</a> in disguise)
        intervened. He and a eunuch revealed themselves as agents of magister Illyrio. Illyrio
        had sent three merchant ships to transport Dany and her people to Pentos. Daenerys
        claimed the three ships and their cargo for her own, and continued to the east.</p>
    <p>
        Daenerys next traveled to <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Slavers_Bay"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Slaver's Bay</a>, a region whose cities
        thrived on the sale and labor of slaves. In <a href="/wiki/Astapor" title="Astapor"
            class="mw-redirect">Astapor</a>, she purchased an army of elite eunuch slave
        soldiers called The <a href="/w/index.php?title=Organizations_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1"
            class="new" title="Organizations in A Song of Ice and Fire (page does not exist)">
            Unsullied</a>. She used them to conquer the city and then freed them, but they
        decided to follow her. She set out for the city of Yunkai. Daenerys convinced the
        <a href="/wiki/Yunkai" title="Yunkai" class="mw-redirect">Yunkai</a> forces to switch
        sides. The entire Yunkish army was slain, captured, or put to flight and Yunkai
        surrendered a few days later.</p>
    <p>
        Near <a href="/wiki/Meereen" title="Meereen" class="mw-redirect">Meereen</a>, Daenerys
        was nearly killed, but Arstan Whitebeard slew the assassin and revealed himself
        as <a href="/wiki/Barristan_Selmy" title="Barristan Selmy" class="mw-redirect">Barristan
            Selmy</a>. He claimed he had sought her out as the true heir to the Seven Kingdoms.
        Selmy also revealed that Daenerys's trusted sworn knight had been sending reports
        on her actions to King's Landing, hoping for a pardon from King Robert. Daenerys
        felt betrayed by each of them, though both fervently wished to atone for their actions.
        The city was won with minimal blood. Having captured Meereen, Dany turned her eyes
        toward Westeros, but learned that there was much she did not know about ruling.</p>
    <p>
        During <i><a href="/wiki/A_Dance_with_Dragons" title="A Dance with Dragons">A Dance
            with Dragons</a></i> she stays in Meereen trying to learn to rule. One day,
        after listening to the Meereenese's problems one lone farmer stands up and shows
        her the charred bones of a little girl as presumed proof that her dragons killed
        her. As a result Daenerys chains Viserion and Rhaegal in pits, but Drogon escapes.
        At the same time, "The Sons of the Harpy", supposed to be composed of disgruntled
        noblemen, keep killing her people. She promises to marry one of her suitors, Hizdahr
        zo Loraq, in exchange for his promise to stop the killings for 90 days. She also
        has a sexual desire for sellsword Daario Naharis, and sleeps with him on her last
        two days before the wedding, knowing that she could never take him for a husband
        due to his low birth and uncontrollable temper. She sends him later to the Yunkai'i
        in a hostage exchange so as not to deal with his temper and jealousy.</p>
    <p>
        On her wedding day she opens the fighting pits, giving in to her husband's request,
        on the condition that all the fighters must accept to enter while knowing what they'll
        face. She finds out that her husband wants to loose lions on <a href="/wiki/Tyrion_Lannister"
            title="Tyrion Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Tyrion Lannister</a> and Penny,
        who are fighting at that point, and forbids it, though she doesn't know about Tyrion.
        She turns to leave in the middle of the event, when she couldn't stand it anymore,
        and is stopped when Drogon makes an appearance, eating a boar and a fighter. When
        she realizes that the people are trying to kill her dragon she breaks into a run
        and climbs onto his neck as he takes off.</p>
    <p>
        During the next chapter we find out that Drogon took her to his lair which she calls
        <i>Dragonstone</i>, as a reminder of the citadel where she'd been born. She starts
        following a stream, knowing it's bound to get to the Skahazadhan river and Slaver's
        Bay. As she walks she has an epiphany and her <a href="/wiki/Menstruation" title="Menstruation">
            menstruation</a> finally starts. She understands that she has tried to ignore
        who she is, starting from the moment she settled in Meereen, for peace, and when
        she'd chained her other two dragons in pits. She walks into the river, without realizing
        it, and has another hallucination, this time with Jorah Mormont's voice. As she
        walks a Dothraki scout is about to find her but she's concealed by the grass. Drogon
        lands again and they take off. After killing a horse, as they stay, eating together,
        they are discovered by Khal Jhaqo.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Emilia_Clarke" title="Emilia Clarke">Emilia Clarke</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books. The role was originally portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Tamzin_Merchant"
            title="Tamzin Merchant">Tamzin Merchant</a> in the original pilot, but was reshot
        with Clarke for the broadcast pilot.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span>[</span>8<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=44"
            title="Edit section: Maester Aemon">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Maester_Aemon">
                Maester Aemon</span></h3>
    <p>
        Third son of King Maekar I Targaryen, Aemon was sent to the Citadel according to
        the wishes of his grandfather King Daeron II Targaryen. At this time, King Daeron
        II had four grown sons, three with sons of their own, and so felt that having too
        many potential Targaryen heirs was as dangerous as having too few. He earned the
        academic title of Maester. Aemon was summoned to court in the year of the Great
        Council. He was offered the crown, quietly, but refused, ceding rule to his younger
        brother, Aegon. He then decided to serve as a black brother of the Night's Watch
        for fear that he may be used in a plot to usurp his brother.</p>
    <p>
        Maester Aemon stayed at Castle Black during the wildling and Other conflicts, providing
        guidance to Jon Snow and the rest of the men of the Wall. During Stannis's occupation
        of the Wall, <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Jon_Snow" title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Jon Snow</a> sent Aemon to Oldtown, fearing that Melisandre would burn him in
        one of her rituals. However, the sea voyage was too hard for the old man. He died
        of a chill at the age of one hundred and two.</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Peter_Vaughan" title="Peter Vaughan">Peter Vaughan</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=45"
            title="Edit section: Aegon V Targaryen">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Aegon_V_Targaryen">Aegon V Targaryen</span></h3>
    <p>
        The fourth son of a fourth son, Aegon, a strong and handsome man, was called "the
        Unlikely", and became king only after a Great Council had bypassed a number of candidates
        higher in the line of succession, including his elder brother Aemon, who had refused
        the throne. Friendly and approachable, Aegon ruled Westeros well as king for over
        a quarter of a century. Aegon perished in a fire at Summerhall, the Targaryen summer
        home.</p>
    <p>
        A young Aegon is featured in Martin's <i><a href="/wiki/Dunk_and_Egg_stories" title="Dunk and Egg stories"
            class="mw-redirect">Dunk and Egg</a></i> short stories.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=46"
            title="Edit section: Aerys II Targaryen">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Aerys_II_Targaryen">Aerys II Targaryen</span></h3>
    <p>
        Aerys Targaryen (also called "Aerys the Mad", "the Mad King", and "King Scab") ruled
        from 262 to 283 AL and was the last member of House Targaryen to sit on the Iron
        Throne before the "War of the Usurper" or "Robert's Rebellion".</p>
    <p>
        He showed great promise at the start of his reign, which began in 262 AL, when he
        was 19. Following ancient Targaryen practice, Aerys had married his sister Rhaella.
        They had three children: sons Rhaegar and Viserys, and daughter <a href="/wiki/Daenerys_Targaryen"
            title="Daenerys Targaryen" class="mw-redirect">Daenerys</a>, who was born during
        the last stage of the War of the Usurper. Supported by his able councillors, foremost
        among them the King's Hand, <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Tywin_Lannister" title="House Lannister"
            class="mw-redirect">Tywin Lannister</a>, Aerys gave the realm many years of
        peace and prosperity, and "left the treasury flowing with gold."</p>
    <p>
        However, he grew increasingly erratic. Aerys was pleasant to his friends, but very
        harsh to those he thought his enemies. He was always a bit insane, but could be
        charming and generous, so his early lapses into madness were forgiven and overlooked.
        Over time though (especially after <i>the Defiance of Duskendale</i>) the lapses
        grew more and more frequent. He cut himself so often on the Iron Throne that men
        took to calling him King Scab.</p>
    <p>
        Like many Targaryens, Aerys was obsessed with fire, notably the magical and highly
        flammable substance called wildfire. He took a great interest in the work of the
        Alchemists' Guild and had an inordinate amount of wildfire made during his reign.
        He had many enemies burned alive, including Lord Rickard Stark, father of Eddard
        Stark, and even his Hand, Lord Qarlton Chelsted.</p>
    <p>
        His capricious, cruel and sadistic behavior led some of the noble houses to revolt
        against the Targaryen dynasty, particularly after his seeming condoning of his son
        Rhaegar's abduction of Lyanna Stark and Aerys' brutal executions of her father and
        brother when they protested. This revolt led to the death of Aerys and most of House
        Targaryen. After the rebel victory at the Battle of the Bells, Aerys had his pyromancers
        create a huge reserve of wildfire and store it in secret around the city of King's
        Landing, planning to destroy the entire city to deny it to Robert Baratheon and
        take its half million inhabitants with him. However, before those orders could be
        carried out, he was assassinated by Jaime Lannister.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=47"
            title="Edit section: Rhaegar Targaryen">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Rhaegar_Targaryen">Rhaegar Targaryen</span></h3>
    <p>
        Eldest son of Aerys II, Rhaegar was the Prince of Dragonstone, the <a href="/wiki/Heir_apparent"
            title="Heir apparent">heir-apparent</a> to the Iron Throne. As a character who
        has been deceased since before the beginning of the books, all information on Rhaegar
        comes second-hand, through the thoughts, recollections and tales of other characters.</p>
    <p>
        He is described as an intelligent, handsome, brooding man, and a skilled fighter.
        He was popular with the people, but had few real friends. He was champion at the
        tourney at Harrenhal, where he shocked those present by selecting Lyanna Stark as
        Queen of Love and Beauty instead of his own wife, Elia. Rhaegar later disappeared
        with Lyanna, an act that many people, including Lyanna's family and her betrothed
        Robert Baratheon, viewed as a kidnapping. While the exact nature of their relationship
        is not currently known, outrage over the act triggered the War of the Usurper, in
        which Rhaegar was killed by Robert at the Battle of the Trident.</p>
    <p>
        Rhaegar's wife, Elia Martell, bore him two children: a girl named Rhaenys and an
        infant son, Aegon. During the Sack of King's Landing, Princess Rhaenys was found
        hiding under her father's bed by Ser Amory Lorch; she fought back screaming, triggering
        a homicidal Lorch to stab her "half a hundred times". Elia was found in the nursery
        a floor below by Gregor Clegane who killed the baby present then proceeded to rape
        and kill Elia with the babe's blood and brain still on his hands. The children were
        murdered at the orders of Tywin Lannister, though it is later revealed Rhaegar's
        son, Aegon Targaryen VI, is still alive.</p>
    <p>
        Though Robert vilifies Rhaegar throughout <i>A Game of Thrones</i>, many other characters
        express admiration for him. Barristan Selmy, a man known for his honour, stated
        that Rhaegar was still remembered in Westeros with great love.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=48"
            title="Edit section: Aegon Targaryen VI">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Aegon_Targaryen_VI">Aegon Targaryen VI</span></h3>
    <p>
        The only son of Rhaegar and Elia, Aegon was believed to have been killed by Gregor
        Clegane along with his mother Elia. However, it was revealed Varys switched baby
        Aegon with a babe born from a peasant, thus Robert and the realm falsely believed
        all of Rhaegar's children were dead.</p>
    <p>
        Aegon spent his life in exile under the name young Griff and was raised by Rhaegar's
        friend Jon Connington (also believed dead by many in Westeros due to a false story
        Varys concocted). Aegon has been trained in matters of arms, faith, history and
        languages. To better conceal his identity he dyed his silver Targaryen hair blue
        (which also made his violet eyes appear blue) using the false story that his mother
        was a Tyroshi who dyed her hair blue and he did it to honor her memory. Aegon and
        his companions were on way to Volantis thinking to meet his aunt Daenarys Targaryen
        there when she marched from Meeren (it was unknown to them that Daenerys had decided
        to stay in Meeren). Aegon when learning this decided instead to go straight to Westeros
        (an idea suggested to him by Tyrion Lannister) with the Golden Company (a sellsword
        company over ten thousand strong). His reasoning was when Daenarys learns of him
        she will head straight to Westeros to aid him and they will first meet as equals
        (instead of him appearing like a beggar before his powerful aunt in Slaver's Bay).
        The Company has already landed in Westeros taking several castles in surprise assaults
        including Griffin's Roost (Jon Connington's ancestral home). Aegon next plans to
        take Storm's End.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=49"
            title="Edit section: House Tully">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="House_Tully">
                House Tully</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 102px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Emblema_tully.gif" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//localhost:8099/web/100px-Emblema_tully.png" width="100" height="87"
                    class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Emblema_tully.gif" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of arms of House Tully</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        House Tully is the principal house in <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Riverlands"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">the riverlands</a>; many lesser houses
        are sworn to them. Their seat is at Riverrun. Their device is a silver trout leaping
        on a blue and red striped field, and their words are "Family, Duty, Honor".</p>
    <p>
        House Tully rose to prominence during the <a href="/wiki/House_Targaryen" title="House Targaryen"
            class="mw-redirect">Targaryen</a> conquest. When Aegon the Conqueror attacked,
        Edmyn Tully was the first to rebel against King Harren of the <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Iron_Islands"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Isles</a> and support the invading Targaryen
        army. Afterwards, Aegon made House Tully <a href="/wiki/Subinfeudation" title="Subinfeudation">
            lords paramount</a> of the Trident.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=50"
            title="Edit section: Hoster Tully">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Hoster_Tully">
                Hoster Tully</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lord of Riverrun and Lord paramount of the Trident, Hoster Tully is an old, sick
        man. As a younger man he was tall and broad, and grew portly in age, but now is
        shrunken by his illness. He traveled the Riverlands extensively and was fond of
        gazing at his rivers.</p>
    <p>
        Years ago, Hoster forced his daughter Lysa to terminate her illegitimate pregnancy.
        He used her pregnancy as proof that she was fertile when arranging her marriage
        to the heirless widower <a href="/wiki/House_Arryn#Jon" title="House Arryn" class="mw-redirect">
            Jon Arryn</a>, in exchange for House Tully's support in the rebellion. On his
        deathbed, Hoster made delirious references to "tansy" and expressed regret, a puzzle
        Catelyn came to piece together though she was unable to repair the rift between
        father and sister. He died of his illness before regaining lucidity and was given
        a funeral on the river according to family custom.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=51"
            title="Edit section: Catelyn Tully">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Catelyn_Tully">
                Catelyn Tully</span></h3>
    <p>
        Catelyn Tully Stark (a <a href="/wiki/Point_of_view_(literature)" title="Point of view (literature)"
            class="mw-redirect">POV character</a>) is Hoster's eldest child and once his
        heir until the birth of her brother. She is the wife of <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Eddard"
            title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">Eddard Stark</a> of <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Winterfell"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">Winterfell</a> and mother of their
        five children, <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Robb" title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">
            Robb</a>, <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Sansa" title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">
                Sansa</a>, <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Arya" title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">
                    Arya</a>, <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Bran_Stark" title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">
                        Bran</a>, and <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Rickon" title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">
                            Rickon</a>. Catelyn is seen as honorable and upright by acquaintances,
        holding duty over desire as a governing principle of behavior. She has a deep love
        for family and a strong faith in the <a href="/wiki/Westeros#The_Seven" title="Westeros"
            class="mw-redirect">Seven</a>. However, she regards <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Jon_Snow"
                title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Jon Snow</a> as an outsider
        to her family, and has never forgiven Eddard for bringing him into her household.
        She is portrayed as a strong and stately beauty, with auburn hair, blue eyes, and
        long fingers.</p>
    <p>
        After <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Bran_Stark" title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Bran</a> was attacked by an assassin, Catelyn traveled to <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#King.27s_Landing"
                title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">King's Landing</a> to inform Eddard.
        There, <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Petyr_Baelish" title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire"
            class="mw-redirect">Petyr Baelish</a> told her that the dagger used in the attack
        belonged to <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Tyrion" title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">
            Tyrion Lannister</a>. Attempting to return home unseen in order to prepare for
        possible war, she encountered and arrested Tyrion, taking him to the <a href="/wiki/Westeros#The_Vale"
            title="Westeros" class="mw-redirect">Vale of Arryn</a> for trial, where he escaped
        execution. This arrest was a <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Five_Kings#Causes" title="War of the Five Kings"
            class="mw-redirect">casus belli</a> of the <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Five_Kings"
                title="War of the Five Kings" class="mw-redirect">war</a> that followed.</p>
    <p>
        Catelyn met her son <a href="/wiki/House_Stark#Robb" title="House Stark" class="mw-redirect">
            Robb</a> and aided him in leading his rebellion against <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Joffrey"
                title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">King Joffrey</a>. She traveled
        to Bitterbridge in an attempt to broker an alliance with surviving <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon"
            title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Baratheon</a> brothers <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Stannis"
                title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Stannis</a> and <a href="/wiki/House_Baratheon#Renly"
                    title="House Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Renly</a>, but was unsuccessful.
        She witnessed Renly's murder and took <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Brienne_of_Tarth"
            title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Brienne of Tarth</a>
        into her service as an <a href="/wiki/Man-at-arms" title="Man-at-arms">armswoman</a>.
        The two returned to Riverrun, and Catelyn attempted to persuade her brother Edmure
        out of his shortsighted plans to attack Tywin Lannister's men at Stone Mill, again
        to no avail. Upon hearing of her younger sons' murder at the hand of <a href="/wiki/Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Theon"
            title="Major houses in A Song of Ice and Fire">Theon Greyjoy</a>, she freed
        prized Stark war hostage <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Jaime" title="House Lannister"
            class="mw-redirect">Jaime Lannister</a> in a covert attempt to exchange him
        for her daughters, captives at King's Landing.</p>
    <p>
        Robb placed Catelyn under house arrest at Riverrun, but allowed her to attend Edmure's
        wedding at the <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Twins" title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">
            Twins</a>. Despite her wariness throughout the ceremony, she, Robb, and many
        of Robb's men were murdered by members of House Frey, an act of treachery that earned
        it the name "The Red Wedding". Three days later she was resurrected by <a href="/wiki/Beric_Dondarrion"
            title="Beric Dondarrion" class="mw-redirect">Beric Dondarrion</a>, who gave
        his life for hers. Her face remains mutilated, her throat is still slit, leaving
        her limited ability to speak, and she is now able to go without sleep. She became
        consumed with the desire for vengeance over her family's betrayal and murder. She
        took the name "Lady Stoneheart" and assumed command of Dondarrion's outlaw band
        the Brotherhood Without Banners. She led the Brotherhood to mercilessly pursuing
        and executing everyone she perceived to be a traitor.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Michelle_Fairley" title="Michelle Fairley">Michelle
            Fairley</a> in the HBO adaptation of the books. The role was originally portrayed
        by <a href="/wiki/Jennifer_Ehle" title="Jennifer Ehle">Jennifer Ehle</a> in the
        original pilot, but for personal reasons, she passed on returning to the role when
        it went to series.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=52"
            title="Edit section: Lysa Tully">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Lysa_Tully">
                Lysa Tully</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lysa was secretly in love with her father's ward <a href="/wiki/Characters_from_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#Petyr_Baelish"
            title="Characters from A Song of Ice and Fire" class="mw-redirect">Petyr Baelish</a>,
        who had deflowered and impregnated her when they were young. Hoster Tully was enraged
        when he learned of it and sent Baelish back to his own desolate home. He had Lysa's
        child aborted, though he later used its existence as proof of Lysa's fertility when
        wedding her to Jon Arryn, a man older than Hoster himself. As the Lady Regent of
        the Vale, Lysa's sanity begins to fail her, and she tries to isolate the Vale and
        her family from the rest of the events in the kingdom. She maintained a strict neutrality
        in the <a href="/wiki/War_of_the_Five_Kings" title="War of the Five Kings" class="mw-redirect">
            War of the Five Kings</a>, failing to call her banners and send aid to her sister's
        son, Robb Stark, and her father, Hoster Tully, though her posture rankled many of
        her vassals; she also was unresponsive to the threat posed by the increasingly active
        and hostile tribes of mountain men. It was her decision to try <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Tyrion"
            title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Tyrion Lannister</a>, and allow
        him a trial by combat via a chosen champion that allowed Tyrion to escape Catelyn
        Stark's custody. Near the conclusion of the War of the Five Kings, Petyr Baelish
        was dispatched to woo and wed Lady Lysa as a means to assuring the compliance of
        the Vale with the regime of King Joffrey, and return it to the king's peace. Lysa
        ecstatically accepted his courtship and married him, but he murdered her shortly
        thereafter by <a href="/wiki/Defenestration" title="Defenestration">defenestration</a>
        when Lysa divulged to Sansa in a drunken hysterical episode that she had in turn
        murdered Jon Arryn at Baelish's behest and instruction. After her murder, Baelish
        used the minstrel Marillion as a <a href="/wiki/Scapegoat" title="Scapegoat">scapegoat</a>.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Kate_Dickie" title="Kate Dickie">Kate Dickie</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=53"
            title="Edit section: Edmure Tully">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Edmure_Tully">
                Edmure Tully</span></h3>
    <p>
        Hoster's third child, only son, and heir. Edmure is a dutiful but rash young man,
        known more for a large heart than a sound head. He wishes to earn the respect of
        his father and protect his smallfolk. He is stocky and tall, with shaggy auburn
        hair and a fiery beard.</p>
    <p>
        Rescued by Stark forces following the battle of the Whispering Wood, Edmure swore
        fealty to his nephew Robb upon his coronation and took part in his battle plans.
        He defended the Red Fork of the Trident against Tywin Lannister's forces, winning
        a battle at the Stone Mill; but, in so doing, he unwittingly ruined Robb's plan
        to draw Tywin out into a battle of Robb's own choosing. As amends, Edmure agreed
        to marry Roslin Frey, a match needed to repair a shaky alliance with the tactically
        critical <a href="/wiki/House_Frey" title="House Frey" class="mw-redirect">House Frey</a>.
        His father's death shortly thereafter made him the Lord of Riverrun. His wedding
        became the site of a slaughter perpetrated by <a href="/wiki/House_Bolton" title="House Bolton"
            class="mw-redirect">Bolton</a> and <a href="/wiki/House_Frey" title="House Frey"
                class="mw-redirect">Frey</a> men in league with the Lannisters. This betrayal
        became known as the Red Wedding. Despite the bloodshed, he was still able to impregnate
        his wife during the wedding. Edmure was captured and imprisoned by the Freys, while
        many other guests were killed, and the crown took Riverrun away from the Tullys.
        <a href="/wiki/House_Lannister#Jaime" title="House Lannister" class="mw-redirect">Jaime
            Lannister</a> spared him from execution and threatened the life of his unborn
        child unless he surrendered Riverrun to the crown. Edmure yielded and is presently
        a prisoner en route to Casterly Rock, where his family is to undergo a life of service
        to House Lannister.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=54"
            title="Edit section: Brynden Tully">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Brynden_Tully">
                Brynden Tully</span></h3>
    <p>
        Ser Brynden Tully, also known as Ser Brynden the Blackfish, is a member of House
        Tully and younger brother by five years to Lord Hoster and the uncle of Catelyn,
        Lysa and Edmure. His personal coat of arms consists of the traditional Tully colors,
        but with a black fish.</p>
    <p>
        He quarreled with his brother constantly. During one of their arguments, Hoster
        called him the 'black goat' of the family as he refused to marry a woman chosen
        for him. He pointed out that their sigil was a fish, so he took the name 'Blackfish'
        from then on. Ser Brynden earned acclaim during the War of the Ninepenny Kings.
        Eventually, he accompanied Lysa Tully to the Vale of Arryn when she married Lord
        Jon Arryn. He was named Knight of the Gate by Lord Jon.</p>
    <p>
        Upon meeting his niece Catelyn, who was travelling to the Eyrie with a captured
        Tyrion Lannister, he became disenchanted with the Vale's neutrality in the growing
        hostilities throughout the realm and resigned his post and decided to travel with
        her to Moat Cailin to meet his grand-nephew Robb Stark and his bannermen.</p>
    <p>
        He quickly became an invaluable asset to the Robb's campaign. He was appointed as
        head of the outriders and would be a crucial member of Northmen's war council. Thanks
        to his riders efforts, Robb's army was able to sneak up on Lannister forces in the
        Riverlands and the Westerlands which ensured a successful campaign. When they returned
        to Riverrun, he was named Castellan and Warden of the South Marches whilst Robb
        and his forces headed back North to deal with the Ironmen and to also regain the
        support of House Frey by having Edmure marry Roslin Frey.</p>
    <p>
        After the Red Wedding, he later defended Riverrun against the siege of forces loyal
        to King Tommen and House Lannister. When Edmure Tully surrendered Riverrun to Jaime
        Lannister, he helped Brynden slip out and escape. His whereabouts are unknown.</p>
    <h2>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=1"
            title="Edit section: House Arryn">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Span1">
                House Tyrell</span></h2>
    <div class="thumb tright">
        <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 130px;">
            <a href="/wiki/File:Emblema_tyrell.gif" class="image">
                <img alt="" src="//localhost:8099/web/128px-Emblema_tyrell.png" width="128" height="111"
                    class="thumbimage" /></a>
            <div class="thumbcaption">
                <div class="magnify">
                    <a href="/wiki/File:Emblema_tyrell.gif" class="internal" title="Enlarge">
                        <img src="//bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png"
                            width="15" height="11" alt="" /></a></div>
                Coat of arms of House Tyrell</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <p>
        Principal noble house in <a href="/wiki/World_of_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire#The_Reach"
            title="World of A Song of Ice and Fire">the Reach</a>; many lesser houses are
        sworn to them. After King Mern of the Reach was killed in the Field of Fire, Aegon
        the Conqueror granted the Tyrells, mere stewards of Highgarden, the castle as well
        as raising them to the position of liege lord of the Reach. They are often viewed
        as "upjumped stewards" by the other great houses of Westeros and even from the lords
        of the Reach, due in part to House Florent having a superior claim to Highgarden.
        Their sigil is a golden rose on a green field, and their words are "Growing Strong".</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=55"
            title="Edit section: Mace Tyrell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Mace_Tyrell">
                Mace Tyrell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lord Mace Tyrell is Lord of Highgarden, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of
        the Reach, and Warden of the South. Mace Tyrell is a prematurely old and rather
        tedious man lacking in political savvy. His sole military accomplishment is the
        Siege of Storm's End. Though he has tried to use the Battle of Ashford as evidence
        of strategic brilliance, he actually had little to do with the fighting. He now
        serves only as the figurehead of his powerful house for his more intelligent family
        members.</p>
    <p>
        Mace has always dreamed of his daughter being a Queen, thus when Renly Baratheon
        and Loras Tyrell presented the plan to crown Renly and have him wed Margaery Tyrell,
        they had his full support. However, King Renly’s rule did not last long enough for
        him to consummate the marriage as he was slain at Storm's End. When word of this
        reached Mace, he marched some ten thousand men to Bitterbridge to plan his next
        move with his sons. They were joined by Petyr Baelish with an offer from King Joffrey
        Baratheon. Forming an alliance with House Lannister he was soon joined by Tywin's
        army to march on and defeat Stannis at the Battle of the Blackwater. His reward
        was a seat on the small council.</p>
    <p>
        After the Battle of the Blackwater, the great lords met to divide up the spoils
        of war. Lord Mace demanded and received the lands of House Florent. He was made
        Master of Ships on the small council of King Joffrey I. After the death of Lord
        Tywin, Mace became covetous of the office of Hand of the King, but was instead charged
        with the capture of Storm’s End. When news arrived that Margaery had been imprisoned
        by the Faith on charges of high treason and adultery, he abandoned his siege and
        returned with his army to King's Landing. Margaery was eventually released to his
        care until her trial, since the evidence against her is circumstantial.</p>
    <p>
        As of the epilogue of <i>A Dance with Dragons</i>, Kevan Lannister, in his position
        as Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, has named Tyrell his Hand, at least partially to
        placate him and shore up the Lannister/Tyrell alliance. Kevan, the chapter's narrator,
        has come to agree with his niece Cersei's opinion that Mace is not especially suited
        for the office.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=56"
            title="Edit section: Willas Tyrell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Willas_Tyrell">
                Willas Tyrell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Willas Tyrell is the eldest son and heir of Lord Mace Tyrell and Lady Alerie Hightower.
        Willas had his leg twisted as a child when he jousted against Oberyn Martell and
        since then had to walk with a cane, though Willas himself holds no grudge against
        Oberyn. While not a warrior Willas is an able leader, intelligent, gentle and courtly
        with a reputation for breeding the finest horses and hounds in the seven kingdoms.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=57"
            title="Edit section: Garlan Tyrell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Garlan_Tyrell">
                Garlan Tyrell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Lord Garlan Tyrell, better known as Garlan the Gallant, is the second son of Lord
        Mace Tyrell and Lady Alerie Hightower. He was given the name the Gallant by his
        brother Willas, who did it to protect him when he was a fat child. He was raised
        to Lord of Brightwater Keep after the Battle of the Blackwater. He usually trains
        against three or four swordsmen, in anticipation of actual battle, and his brother
        Loras Tyrell, a knight of the Kingsguard, has acknowledged that Garlan is his superior
        at swordwork.</p>
    <p>
        Ser Garlan took part in the Battle of the Blackwater, playing the part of Renly
        Baratheon by dressing in his armor, to scare the ignorant men-at-arms among Stannis
        Baratheon's army. He was raised to Lord of Brightwater Keep after the battle. Ser
        Garlan said kind words to Tyrion Lannister during the wedding of Margaery Tyrell
        and King Joffrey I, attending the nuptials with his wife, Leonette Fossoway. While
        the Kingsguard met in the White Sword Tower, Garlan guarded Tommen I. At present
        Garlan is gathering men and ships in order to retake the Shield Isles from the Ironborn.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=58"
            title="Edit section: Loras Tyrell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Loras_Tyrell">
                Loras Tyrell</span></h3>
    <p>
        Third and favorite son of Lord <a href="/wiki/Mace_Tyrell" title="Mace Tyrell" class="mw-redirect">
            Mace Tyrell</a>, nicknamed the Knight of Flowers, Loras is a young but highly
        skilled knight and jouster. He is described as slender and handsome and is beloved
        by the crowds. Early on in the story, during a tourney he handed a red rose to <a
            href="/wiki/Sansa_Stark" title="Sansa Stark" class="mw-redirect">Sansa Stark</a>,
        who, like countless other Westerosi girls, became infatuated with him. While not
        explicitly addressed within the books, the HBO series depicts Loras and <a href="/wiki/Renly_Baratheon"
            title="Renly Baratheon" class="mw-redirect">Renly Baratheon</a> in a relationship.<sup
                id="cite_ref-Westreros_1-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Westreros-1"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a></sup><sup
                    id="cite_ref-AfterElt_2-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AfterElt-2"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a></sup>
        When Renly proclaimed himself king, Loras and the rest of House Tyrell backed him
        and married Loras' sister <a href="/wiki/Margaery_Tyrell" title="Margaery Tyrell"
            class="mw-redirect">Margaery</a> to Renly. Renly made Loras the head of his
        personal guard after Renly's wedding.</p>
    <p>
        After Renly's assassination, Loras became enraged with grief and slew three of Renly's
        guards who were present at the time of his king's death. Loras would have killed
        <a href="/wiki/Brienne_of_Tarth" title="Brienne of Tarth" class="mw-redirect">Brienne
            of Tarth</a> and <a href="/wiki/Catelyn_Stark" title="Catelyn Stark" class="mw-redirect">
                Catelyn Stark</a>, had they been present. However, after questioning Brienne
        at <a href="/wiki/King%27s_Landing_(A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire)" title="King's Landing (A Song of Ice and Fire)"
            class="mw-redirect">King's Landing</a>, he no longer suspected her. Upon the
        wedding of his little sister Margaery to <a href="/wiki/Joffrey_Baratheon" title="Joffrey Baratheon"
            class="mw-redirect">Joffrey Baratheon</a>, Loras joined the Kingsguard and quickly
        reasserted his popularity with the citizens of King's Landing.</p>
    <p>
        Upon news of the ironborn taking the Shield Isles, Tyrell volunteered to travel
        to Dragonstone and complete its siege, thus freeing Paxter Redwyne's fleet from
        that task and allowing them to defend the Reach. His decisive action brought a quick
        end to the siege, but by all reports he was horribly injured during the attack,
        including being doused in boiling oil. As of the epilogue of <i><a href="/wiki/A_Dance_with_Dragons"
            title="A Dance with Dragons">A Dance with Dragons</a></i>, he has not yet succumbed
        to his injuries and his prognosis upgraded from "too badly burned" for medical attention
        to "gravely wounded."</p>
    <p>
        He is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Finn_Jones" title="Finn Jones">Finn Jones</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.</p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=59"
            title="Edit section: Margaery Tyrell">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"
                id="Margaery_Tyrell">Margaery Tyrell</span></h3>
    <p>
        The only daughter of Mace Tyrell, Margaery is an intelligent and shrewd young woman,
        and the protégé of her cunning grandmother, Olenna Redwyne. She is described as
        pretty, with softly curling brown hair, brown eyes and a slender yet shapely figure.
        She is sixteen years old.</p>
    <p>
        Margaery was first married to King Renly Baratheon, as a pledge of loyalty from
        the Tyrell family. When he was killed, the Tyrells allied with the Lannisters, wedding
        Margaery to King Joffrey. After Joffrey was poisoned at their wedding feast, Margaery
        was wed yet again, this time to Joffrey's younger brother Tommen, a little boy who
        was then crowned king. In the months after their marriage, Cersei Lannister schemed
        to dispose of Margaery and the Tyrells, taking advantage of Margaery's claim to
        still be a maid despite her marriage to Renly. This claim may or may not be true;
        Margaery's maidenhead was confirmed to have been ruptured by a Septa who inspected
        her, but Cersei noted that highborn girls often have their maidenheads broken by
        horseback-riding.</p>
    <p>
        While Tommen's queen, Margaery did much to gain favor with the populace. She visited
        local markets to buy fresh fruits, breads and fish, ordered dresses from many local
        seamstresses, and made great public shows of charity. Margaery suggested several
        activities for Tommen in an effort to shape him into a successful ruler, such as
        riding in sight of his subjects and observing sessions of the small council. Cersei
        forbade all of Margaery's suggestions. Later, Margaery recognized the military threat
        created by the Ironborn invasion of the Shield Islands, and was incredulous at Cersei's
        lack of understanding.</p>
    <p>
        Cersei accused Margaery of adultery and treason, lining up an impressive, but untrue,
        array of conspirators and evidence. Margaery was arrested and imprisoned to await
        trial by the Faith at the Great Sept of Baelor. While in custody, she confronted
        Cersei, revealing that she knew that Cersei was behind the accusations and wanted
        to remove her from a position of influence, perhaps by arranging for her death.
        Later, one of Cersei's key witnesses revealed her plots under torture, and Cersei
        soon found herself sharing Margaery's plight. Since the evidence against Margaery
        however is very weak she was released to Randyl Tarly (after Tarly swore a holy
        oath before the altar of the Seven to return her back to the sept for trial). She
        currently resides in the Red Keep till the day of her trial.</p>
    <p>
        She is portrayed by <a href="/wiki/Natalie_Dormer" title="Natalie Dormer">Natalie Dormer</a>
        in the HBO adaptation of the books.<sup id="cite_ref-Hibberd_8-0" class="reference"><a
            href="#cite_note-Hibberd-8"><span>[</span>9<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
    <h3>
        <span class="editsection">[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Major_houses_in_A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire&amp;action=edit&amp;section=60"
            title="Edit section: Olenna Redwyne">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Olenna_Redwyne">
                Olenna Redwyne</span></h3>
    <p>
        Olenna Redwyne is the mother of Lord Mace Tyrell and described as a wizened, cunning
        old woman with a wicked wit and a sharp tongue, nicknamed "the Queen of Thorns".
        Olenna was introduced in <i>A Storm of Swords</i>, sharply questioning Sansa Stark
        on Joffrey's nature. After getting Sansa to speak about Joffrey's cruelty and the
        beatings he gave her, Olenna suggested taking Sansa away to Highgarden and marrying
        her to Willas. She also poisoned King Joffrey at his wedding after plotting with
        Littlefinger, by removing a black stone (actually a poison called the "strangler")
        from Sansa Stark's hairnet and placing it in Joffrey's chalice, blaming Tyrion afterwards.</p>
</div>
